Ghost Who Walks, The

Karen Elson/Ghost Who Walks
Karen Elson is the wife and baby mama of Jack White (White Stripes, Dead Weather). She wrote the songs on this album in a closet in their house in Nashville and upon discovery of his wife’s talent, White put her on his label XL and released Ghost Who Walks. In my professional opinion, this probably should have been an EP (shorter, more edited). What is the spousal equivalent of nepotism? But, there are quality tracks on here and Elson’s vocals are pure and vibrant. FCC free. Sounds like: Fiona Apple, Stevie Nicks, Jenny Lewis. Try: 1, 2, 3, 8, 10

1. ****A sinister tale of warning; a murderous date. Best track on album.
2. **A plunky, prodding , funky, folksy song.
3. ***Slow, seductive, unrequited love song.
4. Very Nashville, pretty harmonies, just guitar and vocals.
5. Dramatic, Vaudevillian echoes.
6. A seamaid’s tale of woe
7. Straight country, lackluster, flat vocals.
8. ****Dark, brooding, vocals like Nicks, really f*&ing good.
9. And this is where the album falls off (see EP comments above). Repetitive & trite.
10. *Exception to above, quite good, steel guitar.
11. A lullaby, pretty, simple.
12. Violin, bitter vocals, though still lackluster.