Ghost On Ghost
General
| May 2013
Reviews
Francis D
Reviewed 2013-05-24
Reviewed 2013-05-24
“Ghost on Ghost” Iron & Wine
Samuel Beam’s fifth, full-length, studio CD. Started as a low-fi, indie folk artist in 2002, but has worked hard over the years to move and grow within the indie folk-rock genre. Some of Beam’s efforts work on this album; some don’t. But while the CD is inconsistent, the high points noted below make it well worth playing.
— Francis
Recommended: 12, 5, 1, 4, 9, 2. No FCCs detected.
1. (3:12) Caught in the Briars — Fades in with disjointed playing as if from a band’s warm-up before the conductor arrives. Transitions into a light-as-air, bright, comfortable, and catchy tune reminiscent of Van Morrison at his most effortless. Only problem is the song’s too short, before somewhat jarring instrumental trail-out begins. ***
2. (3:27) The Desert Babbler — Dreamy or dreary? A Boz Scaggs’ slow dancer-like vibe with dance band brass and strings throughout. You may love this or not, but you can’t beat the opening lyric, “It’s New Year’s Eve and California’s gonna kill you soon…” **
3. (2:31) Joy — Waaayyy too middle of the road (MOR) for KZSU.
4. (3:30) Low Light Buddy of Mine — Syncopated, kinda jazzy beat. Saxophone prominent throughout. Raw, real Sam Beam. **
5. (3:36) Grace for Saints and Ramblers — Pulsing, fast-paced indie rock. Staccato drumming. Catchy bass line. Rapid-fire vocals. Excellent! ****
6. (2:53) Grass Widows — Slick, bluesy feel. Bass, saxophone, drums, and vibraphone support Beam’s lightly tripping vocals.
7. (3:39) Singers and the Endless Song — Distinctive, funky beat. Sharp stabs of brass. Good use of soulful harmonies.
8. (2:18) Sundown (Back in the Briars) — Brief interlude with shimmering background vocals as Beam once again calls to mind imagery from opening track.
9. (3:12) Winter Prayers — Slow, slightly haunting melody. Simple instrumentation: piano, guitar, bass, gentle rhythm. **
10. (4:28) New Mexico’s No Breeze — Up-tempo, smooth groove. Intricate bass line drives Beam’s vocals. Imagery recalls a ride in a convertible on Route 66 through the Southwest.
11. (5:40) Lovers’ Revolution — Another jazzy number that makes good use of brass elements.
12. (5:39) Baby Center Stage — Easy on the ears with a style that’s closer to the Iron & Wine of previous vintages. Just a hint of country with a mournful steel guitar. Very nice! ***
Samuel Beam’s fifth, full-length, studio CD. Started as a low-fi, indie folk artist in 2002, but has worked hard over the years to move and grow within the indie folk-rock genre. Some of Beam’s efforts work on this album; some don’t. But while the CD is inconsistent, the high points noted below make it well worth playing.
— Francis
Recommended: 12, 5, 1, 4, 9, 2. No FCCs detected.
1. (3:12) Caught in the Briars — Fades in with disjointed playing as if from a band’s warm-up before the conductor arrives. Transitions into a light-as-air, bright, comfortable, and catchy tune reminiscent of Van Morrison at his most effortless. Only problem is the song’s too short, before somewhat jarring instrumental trail-out begins. ***
2. (3:27) The Desert Babbler — Dreamy or dreary? A Boz Scaggs’ slow dancer-like vibe with dance band brass and strings throughout. You may love this or not, but you can’t beat the opening lyric, “It’s New Year’s Eve and California’s gonna kill you soon…” **
3. (2:31) Joy — Waaayyy too middle of the road (MOR) for KZSU.
4. (3:30) Low Light Buddy of Mine — Syncopated, kinda jazzy beat. Saxophone prominent throughout. Raw, real Sam Beam. **
5. (3:36) Grace for Saints and Ramblers — Pulsing, fast-paced indie rock. Staccato drumming. Catchy bass line. Rapid-fire vocals. Excellent! ****
6. (2:53) Grass Widows — Slick, bluesy feel. Bass, saxophone, drums, and vibraphone support Beam’s lightly tripping vocals.
7. (3:39) Singers and the Endless Song — Distinctive, funky beat. Sharp stabs of brass. Good use of soulful harmonies.
8. (2:18) Sundown (Back in the Briars) — Brief interlude with shimmering background vocals as Beam once again calls to mind imagery from opening track.
9. (3:12) Winter Prayers — Slow, slightly haunting melody. Simple instrumentation: piano, guitar, bass, gentle rhythm. **
10. (4:28) New Mexico’s No Breeze — Up-tempo, smooth groove. Intricate bass line drives Beam’s vocals. Imagery recalls a ride in a convertible on Route 66 through the Southwest.
11. (5:40) Lovers’ Revolution — Another jazzy number that makes good use of brass elements.
12. (5:39) Baby Center Stage — Easy on the ears with a style that’s closer to the Iron & Wine of previous vintages. Just a hint of country with a mournful steel guitar. Very nice! ***
Recent airplay
Winter Prayers
Traditions — Dec 21, 2018
Grace For Saints And Ramblers
Time Traveler — Dec 19, 2014
Grace For Saints And Ramblers
Time Traveler (Top 35 Indie CDs of 2013) — Jan 10, 2014
Baby Center Stage
Time Traveler — Dec 27, 2013
Grace For Saints And Ramblers
Time Traveler — Dec 20, 2013
Grace For Saints And Ramblers
Time Traveler — Nov 01, 2013
Charting
2013-05-27 — 2013-07-29
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Jul 28 | 2 |
| Jul 21 | 1 |
| Jul 14 | 1 |
| Jul 7 | 1 |
| Jun 30 | 2 |
| Jun 23 | 2 |
| Jun 16 | 2 |
| Jun 9 | 2 |
Track listing
| 1. | Caught In The Briars | ||
| 2. | The Desert Babbler | ||
| 3. | Joy | ||
| 4. | Low Light Buddy Of Mine | ||
| 5. | Grace For Saints And Ramblers | ||
| 6. | Grass Widows | ||
| 7. | Singers And The Endless Song | ||
| 8. | Sundown (Back In The Briars) | ||
| 9. | Winter Prayers | ||
| 10. | New Mexico's No Breeze | ||
| 11. | Lovers' Revolution | ||
| 12. | Baby Center Stage |