The Black Ghosts - The Black Ghosts (Southern Fried)
3/5
By: Sam Crawford
When the former vocalist of electro group Simian gets together with one half of the electronica/hip hop band The Wiseguys, it would be fairly logical to assume they'd create some electro/hip hop combo. So inline with the principles of logic, The Black Ghosts cater to our assumptions.
The album contains many polished effects and lots of full bodied production techniques, creating an accessible mix of soul, funk, hip hop and jazz elements. Everything is in its right place, but there's a niggling feeling that something is lacking, could it be innovation?
Opening track 'Some Way Through This' starts with dramatic staccato strings over a hip hop style beat; you'd expect someone like Big Punto begin rapping over the top. Instead, Simon Lord's crooning soulful vocals enter... at the same time the songs credibility leaves. In the house scene, instrumental white label releases can blow up in the night clubs, but when they are released commercially, they suddenly have these sickening vocal tracks over the top. It seems like Black Ghosts have decided to skip this transition and go straight for the cheesy vocal version. The song's lyrical content gives the message that love can be tough, but the delivery sails close to a Daniel Bedingfield track.
So yeah, the album doesn't get off to the best start, but luckily there are stronger tracks. 'Repetition Kills You' fairs a lot better. For a start, Damon Albarn's vocals are featured, so the chances of it being crud are pretty unlikely. The catchy synth and bass sounds and work well with Damon's voice, and you could easily imagine this going down a treat in the clubs, although I think it won't be long before someone remixes a more banging version of it.
'Full Moon' has that Brian Wilson or Mama's and Papa's type feel in the vocal melody, against the back drop of some low key hip hop beats. In keeping with the rest of the album, there's nothing really offensive about it, but there's nothing that reaches out and affects you in any way either.
The Black Ghosts may achieve some commercial success with their debut offering, it definitely feels like it's aimed at that market, but there isn't enough for me to grab onto here. If you're looking for an easy listening pop record, you could do worse, but don't expect the world to move when you listen to it.
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