REVIEW: Hungry Ghost’s self-titled debut album
It’s hard to say if Sara Lund, Andrew Price, and Lorca Wood had a band like this in mind when they started out doing the alternative/punk/grunge/lamestain thing in the 1990′s, but maybe it was inevitable. Maybe that’s why the cover of their debut album is represented by a junk yard of abandoned cars. In many ways, Hungry Ghost are just like the countless amount of musicians who made great music before but were abandoned by whomever for whatever reason. Those who are car enthusiasts know that when it comes to an automobile, the gold can be found within the abandoned heap of junk, because one person’s junk is very much another person’s treasure. If there’s any truth to this, than Hungry Ghost are a solid state phonograph or guitar.
Without the metaphors, Hungry Ghost are a Portland band that show that without the tags or major spotlight on you, you can simply make great music that feels good. The music on their self-titled debut album shows that when it comes to raunchy punk rock, or something with a bit more melody and clever folk and pop touches (as they show in “Get Up”), they can do it quite well. No major statements here, although you may find a few morals and stories throughout. This is just raw rock that you’d find annoying neighbors and a landlord, but it’s also not afraid to show maturity. In other words, regardless of the ages of the members of the band, it sounds youthful because if you have that careless spirit in anything that you do, you shine and shine bright. When it comes time to fit in a mean ass guitar solo, they do it to the point where it’ll make you cry.
Fans of 90′s indie/alterna- whatever rock will love this because they sound like they’ve been a unit since that era, as there’s a musical chemistry not unlike bands like The Who, Mudhoney, or Hazel in there. The Who? Yeah, that pinch of ruthless debauchery that can be heard in the guitar and bass exchange, the anchor of the rhythm section of Lund and Wood, and a groove that isn’t afraid to show a soulful side every now and then. It’s not just volume and distortion for the hell of it, but even before the album hits the midway point, I knew this was going to be a force to be reckoned with. Seek them and you will find treasures.
BEST OF 2012: My Favorite Albums Of The Year | This Is Book's Music posted: 21 Dec at 10:49 am
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