Black Ghosts: Mixtape
Monday, 10 Mar 2008 17:35
Black Ghosts mash it up on their new Mixtape.
Southern Fried Records, out March 17th.
In a nutshell…
Brisk, ethereal, deep, vibrant, tantalizing.
What's it all about?
The new Black Ghosts' mixtape unexpectedly entitled Mixtape figures 23 songs of pure tantalizing electro pop, with a few exclusives but also many remixes of their own songs and material of the likes of Frankmusic, Trabant, Gossip and The Whip, for a total playing time of exactly one hour three minutes.
When the dark-spirited remixes play, it is perfect paradise on the dance-floor. Some tracks also have cool lyrics exploring the depth of doomed-to-fail relationships on them; in other words, the real psychosis of love, with Simon Lord doing the vocalist bit in Something New, Anyway You Choose To Give It and Someway Through.
Lord takes his inspiration from, among others, Tim Hardin, Serge Gainsbourg, Marvin Gaye and Howlin Wolf.
Who's it by?
The Black Ghosts is a duo with respectively ex-Simian and ex-Wiseguys members Simon Lord and Theo Keating. This gothic-electro-pop band is based in London and they have gigs planned all around Australia and the US throughout March.
The band released a few singles last year and their album The Black Ghosts last summer.
They have been remixed by the likes of Switch, Kissy Sell Out, and The Teenagers, and have remixed Gossip, Trabant, Charlotte Gainsbourg and many others.
The band has won its place on the music scene with Anyway You Choose To Give It and Someway Through This.
As an example...
"Why did you leave that message on my phone,was it from your head?/If the sky was falling down would I see behind that frown/If cold steel touched your skin would you finally stop and let me in/Tell me baby." - Some Way Through This
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Critics love them, fans love them, the Black Ghosts definitely have a chance for the Grammys. Daft Punk took part in it in February this year; The Black Ghosts may be next.
The band has already been remixed by many artists and their own remixes are truly hypnotizing and ethereal.
What the others say
"The Black Ghosts are one of 2008's hottest new dance acts." - Channel 4.
"Some Way Through This shows that the Black Ghosts have already outgrown these first tentative baby steps, and that better things lie over the horizon." - Pitchfork.
So is it any good?
The Black Ghosts have struck again, invading us with enthralling underground electro sounds which will make everyone vibrate through the night.
The album is demoniac, tantalising and full of subtle twists. The band will delight even the most sceptical, although some of the tracks do become a bit repetitive sometimes.
Finally, although the dark atmosphere of Mixtape is profoundly aimed at the dance-floor, the Black Ghosts are also certain to win over another public as some of their tracks are a real must for all tribal belly dancers. A combination of hypnotic jerky moves and gothic and savage costumes would match a perfect underground music. Among those tracks should be quoted Pendulum, Three Little Words, Discosau and Marina Gasolina.
8 /10
Aurore Jouanin
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