The Alarmists - The Ghost and The Hired Gun - 13 August 2007

Release Notes:

Some albums are meant to be heard, but a rare few need to be experienced. The
Alarmists first full length CD "The Ghost And The Hired Gun" is one those. In
the day of the IPod and the single song download, it's refreshing to hear an
album as cohesive from beginning to end as this one is. "Headspace" a spacey
synth instrumental sets the mood as well as providing a tasty sample of
headphone ear candy. The song wouldn't have been out of place on The Flaming
Lips "Yoshimi Vs The Pink Robots" or a pre Kid A Radiohead album. From there the
song catapults into the "Voice Within". The strange thing about "The Ghost And
The Hired Gun" it feels a concept album. It's like a rock and roll western. It's
as if the ghost of Sergio Leone haunted the band's home studio. It's one of the
many "ghosts" that haunt this CD. Ryan McMillan's twanging guitar sounds as if
Clint Eastwood is getting ready to have a gunfight in the dusty, tumbleweed
strewn street. There are a lot of highlights on this CD. "Hired Gun", "Nobody
Knows You" and "Try To Be Kind" are instant classics. The melody sticks in your
brain like peanut butter does to the roof of your mouth. These are the kind of
songs you'll find yourself humming when you're least expecting it. They'll haunt
you like a friendly ghost. Another bonus to this album is that it stands up well
to repeated listening. Quirky ambient sounds, swirling vocals, and scraped piano
strings, and other little eclectic treasures pop out. Each song has hides it's
own surprise. Some of the vibe from The Beatles "Abbey Road" creeps into the mix
and arrangements. Eric Lovold's songwriting and hook mastery is notable. His
voice seems about crack, but never does. What he lacks in dynamic range as a
singer, he makes up for with personality and perplexing lyrics. It's hard to
figure out if he's trying to be straightforward or is using sly metaphors. His
voice reminds me of a smoother Wilco's Jeff Tweedy with a few dashes of Weezer's
Rivers Cuomo. At times it may even feel like your own. The musicianship on the
CD is impeccable. Drummer Ryan Mach and bassist Tony Najm provide a tight rhythm
section Lovold hangs his tapestry of guitars, multi-tracked vocals, and burbling
synthesizer on. Jorge Raasch plays keyboards and adds backing vocals. Ryan
McMillan plays guitars, synthesizer, accordion as handling backing vocals.
McMillan's guitar solo's are compact and perfectly executed. Never do they
distract from the melody. With a debut CD this good, I can't help but wonder
where The Alarmist will go next. Like the voice in "Headspace" asks, "Are you
listening kid?" My guess is if there's any justice in the world, they won't be a
local band for long.

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