++ALBUM++ review by Fran Donnelly

THE BLACK GHOSTS - The Black Ghosts

Released on Southern Fried

Fran Donnelly gives us his verdict on the debut album from SMD related ghetto-goth duo The Black Ghosts. After a few false starts, he argues, this could just be the record that saves their lives...

Expectations weren't high for The Black Ghosts' debut album. Any interest generated by their 2006 single ‘Face’ waned after some dull live performances, lacklustre follow-up singles… and a frankly shit mixtape. A year on, and there remained curiosity, but no expectations.

However, look back and you’ll see that this duo hinted at the experience to pull it off. If James Ford inherited the rhythmic drive of SMD, Simon Lord took his former band's soul and a tortured cry of a vocal. It’s The Black Ghosts' finest asset.

Backed by the amorphous beats-based arrangements of Theo Keating (dance veteran with The Wiseguys), they are the most polished of electro acts; guitars are few, basslines are buzzing - and choruses are the key.

"The sounds are menacing yes, but in a cool tongue-in-cheek fashion..."

Balanced precariously between drunkenness and sobriety, this self-titled album is a concise exercise of pop mobility, veering similarly between electrified R&B and scuzzy indie-disco cluster bombs.

Singles that individually seemed out of place (such as the beach-bound Latino of ‘It's Your Touch’ and melodramatic strings-hop opener ‘Some Way Through This’) make complete sense as part of a whole, adding chilling and chilled-out vibes.

Throughout, the twists manage to stay vibrant and elastic. ‘I Want Nothing’ is an on-edge race of warmly distorted fuzz, which contrasts nicely with ‘Full Moon’'s off-kilter pagan swoon. Meanwhile, ‘Don't Cry’ is a heart-tugging moment of Timbaland slickness.

The sounds are menacing yes, but in a cool tongue-in-cheek fashion that makes the out-of-nowhere appearance of Damon Albarn (on ‘Repetition Kills You’) fit perfectly, in a Gorillaz-esque turn of catchy brilliance.

Placed somewhere between Ibiza and the haunted house of this record, ‘Anyway You Choose To Give It’ is it’s irresistible highlight; all house pianos stabbing and dancefloor revolving beats.

Admittedly it's nothing Hot Chip haven't already been and done, but The Black Ghosts have condensed their lush style into something just a little bit darker - and just as interesting.

++ Fran Donnelly ++

Artrocker rating: 4

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