Sanders Bohlke’s Ghost Boy could not be more appropriately named. Haunting and visceral, this recording was inspired when Bohlke retreated to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia one winter and chronicles the loneliness he felt being so removed from society.
The album opens a cappella with “Pharoah,” a beautiful song that turns into a a sonic wall of sound then back to a cappella. The track invokes memories of such songwriting greats as Jeff Buckly and Elliott Smith. Songs like the title track and “The Loved Ones” are so refreshing in their simplicity, yet so deep in emotion, both lyrically and musically.
“Lights Explode” speaks of the regret of time wasted: “We were best friends / Watching the lights explode / And then you give me your hand / And away we go” while the upbeat acoustic-driven “Serious” explores a darker side of relationships: “If you’re serious / I’ll be serious too / I’ll rip your heart out / Like you want me to.”
The whole album is filled with lyrics that are narrative and poetic. Layers of synths and keyboard effects are both transcendent and anticipatory. The guitar is hypnotizing in its steady heartbeat of both acoustic and distorted sounds. Bohlke has created beautiful visual imagery with his words and music, allowing the listener to get a sense of what he was feeling that winter in the mountains as the days got shorter and the nights got darker.
For more information on Sanders Bohlke and for upcoming tour dates visit http://sandersbohlke.com.
Ghost Boy
Birmingham, AL
(Communicating Vessels)
Produced by Jeffrey Cain
Mixed by Darrell Thorp
Mastered by David Ives at 101 Mastering
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