GHOSTS OF MEN
Here we have 'Hang Fire', from "heavy, dancey, two-piece rockers" Ghosts of Men, released on 1st April. A very deliberate choice of release date, apparently. They've decided to avoid the industry-standard global release day of Friday, to unleash their two-track offering on a Monday. Why? Apparently, because "an April Fools' Day release underlines their tongue in cheek approch to the industry." Fair enough! But what of this heavy, dancey duo? Any good? Foolish? Heavy? Dancey? Well, it's all of that!
With a stripped down approach à la Winnebago Deal, although lacking that band's fiercely energetic edge, Ghosts of Men have opted to keep it simple - just guitar, drums and vocals. However, as with Winnebago, their sound is massive for just a duo. Fuzzy, distorted guitars reign across both tracks - kind of a heavy 70s stoner sound, but without being all down-tempo and sluggishly stoner. Drums remain interesting throughout both tracks with some nice rhythmic variance, and the guitars are all about the fuzz. So much fuzz! And with vocals that are straight out of the 70s. So heavy, yeah? Heavy on the retro, heavy on the 70s influences, and heavy on the fuzz. Heavy in the music, too? Kind of. It's a big, fat sound that Ghost of Men have, although the fuzz detracts from more of a precision of riffage, particularly in 'Show Down'. Dancey? For those who like to dance, I'm sure it is. It made me tap my feet and nod my head, so that's quite significant movement for me, in dance terms.
These guys (simply referred to as Adam and Clegg in press materials) have crafted a couple of very decent tunes here. And the cover art for this single is fantastic, too! Coupled with a great moniker and an evident raw passion for their music, these be ones to keep an eye on, methinks.
With a stripped down approach à la Winnebago Deal, although lacking that band's fiercely energetic edge, Ghosts of Men have opted to keep it simple - just guitar, drums and vocals. However, as with Winnebago, their sound is massive for just a duo. Fuzzy, distorted guitars reign across both tracks - kind of a heavy 70s stoner sound, but without being all down-tempo and sluggishly stoner. Drums remain interesting throughout both tracks with some nice rhythmic variance, and the guitars are all about the fuzz. So much fuzz! And with vocals that are straight out of the 70s. So heavy, yeah? Heavy on the retro, heavy on the 70s influences, and heavy on the fuzz. Heavy in the music, too? Kind of. It's a big, fat sound that Ghost of Men have, although the fuzz detracts from more of a precision of riffage, particularly in 'Show Down'. Dancey? For those who like to dance, I'm sure it is. It made me tap my feet and nod my head, so that's quite significant movement for me, in dance terms.
These guys (simply referred to as Adam and Clegg in press materials) have crafted a couple of very decent tunes here. And the cover art for this single is fantastic, too! Coupled with a great moniker and an evident raw passion for their music, these be ones to keep an eye on, methinks.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Regent Street Records
Single
HANG FIRE
Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
5:51
RELEASE DATE:
1st April 2019
TRACK LISTING
1) Hang Fire
2) Show Down
2) Show Down
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
UK
"...kind of a heavy 70s stoner sound, but without being all down-tempo and sluggishly stoner."
