Allan’s World Music

Bridges and Powerlines - Ghost Types Review
1 May 2008, Allan @ 9:56 pm

Bridges and Powerlines started as a band in 2005 out of New York City. Their release Ghost Types was put out on April 22nd and even at one moment made it as a hotly blogged artist on Elbo.ws. Ghost Types was also produced by Chris Zane who has also produced albums for Les Savy Fav, White Rabbits (should’ve listened to their album perhaps?) and the new Walkmen record. That’s pretty good company though I hope they don’t have to bring that up…I just don’t think in indie circles producers have the same pull as a Timbaland or a Pharell. (more of a shot at PR companies…I could care less who the producer is).

Either way, Bridges and Powerlines‘ Ghost Types is a great album. I first decided not to check out this band because I though they were a powerpop band so I just directed it to Joe for consideration without looking at it myself. I then decided to check their myspace and listen to their songs and I just decided Joe will probably take it and I moved on and promptly forgot about it. The songs I heard…stuck with me for whatever reason and I was searching through my inbox trash bin to find that e-mail I discarded.

I definitely feel bad for not checking out this album from the start. I do admit to liking the crazy powerpop (power pop is not really my thing) track “Uncalibrated”, the line “I can make it cold inside, just by being here” is kind of a line that just sticks with me. A lot of lines and lyrics seem to stick with you…giving you a sense how powerful the tracks are. The pace slows down a bit and you get a mix of keyboarding but some pretty cool guitaring (though it does take a back burner most of the time). After Uncalibrated I instantly liked The Thieves, They Are Everywhere, Half A Cent, and Middle Child. The rest rounded up quite nicely.

Andrew Wood, the lead singer is well a pretty good singer. He has a voice that feels smooth and it sounds as if it comes natural. While it doesn’t ever sound like he’s trying he’s still able to convey that emotion that you’re looking.

As I keep listening to this album more and more, I am finding it increasingly difficult to mention any real faults but the album for the most part is something special (I fucking mean it I just can’t come up with any more sugar-coated words). I noticed some of the subtle arrangements like that little rhythm on Floods and Fields. If there’s anything to fault this album…I could say some songs feel out of place within the album as their starting is slow. Tracks like The Golden Age and The Great Fire(awesome instrumental track) feel out of place but are good on their own.

Similarities? I don’t have many. Very poppy but giving off the depressing vibe. They are said to be influenced by the Elephant 6 one of the bands is of course: Of Montreal (my personal favorite). The other bands like Neutral Milk Hotel….I haven’t listened to (I’ll admit it). Whatever I can’t think of any similarities but just know the album is an excellent listen.

Rating: 4.75 out of 5.

Buy the CD at Insound.

I can only post two tracks at the request of Bridges and Powerlines and I’m going to ask them for a Q & A as well.

Uncalibrated by Bridges and Powerlines

The Golden Age by Bridges and Powerlines

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