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The Ghost
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This Pen Is A Weapon
Some Records
Release: 6/01/2004
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Rated:
Review by:
Matthew Nanes
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Chicago's The Ghost are exactly what the punk rock world
needs. Their brand of unpolished, unrelenting rock and roll is
a breath of fresh air of indie rock, filled with social
commentary and jagged guitars of Fugazi and Cursive. It is
best represented when Brian Moss, singer-guitarist, screams
"This is an exorcism!" This is the essence of their album,
The Ghost's This Pen Is A Weapon.
Fresh off the heels of This Is A Hospital, The
Ghost come back with the same post-punk fury and un-
produced sound, but this time with different ideas, pushing
the envelope of the genre. The album starts with "Broken
Ears/Poison Hearts" with The Ghost's trademark yelling and
back to a whisper vocals, mixing in melodic yet chaotic
sound. Later in the album, The Ghost almost go into ballad
territory with "…And Now For My Disappearing Act" which is
ultimately the best song on the album. The interplay of the
dual guitars is amazing, using acoustics to give texture to
the verses while the border-line slide guitar of the chorus
yanks at your heartstrings.
While The Ghost may unleash scores of emotions through
their music, if it's either through their controlled chaos or
melodic introspection, that's not their intention. The Ghost's
lyrics and vocals are owed a lot to Ian McKaye. Even singer
Brian Moss' diction is very similar to McKaye's. Either way,
this is what the delivery and lyrical content of Moss needs.
Lyrics like "What have you done?/How will you numb
yourself next?" (on the rocker "A Letter From God") actually
force you to ask that question for yourself.
The Ghost experiment with a healthy number of instruments
(like Wulitzer organs, acoustic guitars, keyboards) on
This Pen Is A Weapon. The best example of the
instruments being used is on "…And Now For My
Disappearing Act." The only bad example of experimentation
is their pirate-like breakdown on "Mad Max Was An
Amateur." It may possibly lead listeners who don't dig deep
into this record to dismiss them.
Ultimately, if The Ghost's intention is making one think
through their lyrics or music on This Pen Is A
Weapon, they have truly succeeded. Look out for this
band to turn some heads when they go on tour with their
chaotic post-punk sound. |
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