.date 2007-08-09
.genre Indie
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.
.tracks
1. Headspace 1:54 2. Voice Within 4:25 3. Hired Gun 4:44 4. Nobody Knows You 4:10 5. On The Way 3:30 6. Little Hands 4:40 7. The Places I'm From 4:29 8. Summer's Heart 4:45 9. Try To Be Kind 3:43 10. Count on Me 3:11 11. Light a Smoke 3:42 12. Thankful For The Chance 3:49 13. Walking Away 5:51 14. Ghost 3:58 .download
http://rapidshare.com/files/48100671/T_A-T_G_and_T_H_G.rar
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