Monday, June 8, 2009

REVIEW: Top 10 Ghostly Albums.. (so far)

Ghostly:
Ghostly is a decade old
Below are my Top Ten Ghostly albums
Thank you Ghostly, you rock

Ghostly Bio:
"Ann Arbor: Michigan's Ghostly International was created in 1999 by Sam Valenti IV in his dorm room at the University of Michigan. Since then, the label has become one of America's premier channels for forward-thinking music, from abstract electronics to avant-pop. Home to artists such as Tadd Mullinix (aka Dabrye, James T. Cotton), Matthew Dear, Midwest Product, Twine and Dykehouse, Ghostly celebrates a diversity of styles that run the electronic gamut. Ghostly emphasizes the artist behind the machines, the personalities that drive this music. Through its release history, including the acclaimed Disco Nouveau and Idol Tryouts compilations, the label has received praise from critics and music buyers alike. Ghostly International and Spectral Sound [a sub-label of Ghostly], true to their art historical roots, focus on a strong visual presence and an eye for the smallest detail. The labels provide the complete package, and are capable of earning trust across a myriad of styles and incarnations."





"Top 10 Ghostly Albums"


Geoff White (Aeroc) takes an acoustic track shreds it to pieces and try’s to glue it back together with electronic fragments. “Rusted Dress Up” is one of the best electronic/ambient songs I’ve EVER HEARD. I think I’ve put it on nearly every electronic compilation I’ve made.
Standout Tracks: All of them.

9. Solvent - Apples And Synthesizers (GI-35) 7.75 out of 10
Listen to track 2, “Operating Ease”, if you don’t get it you never will. Perfect Synth/Electro-pop.
Standout Tracks: All of them, but ESPECIALLY Operating Ease.

"One-Three" is one of Ghostly's defining releases, it is the album that finally gave Ghostly the attention it deserves. Dabrye eventually went more "full on Hip-Hop" with later albums, but on this release he mixes “sleazy” dark bass lines with IDM and just hints of Hip-Hop. ESSENTIAL Ghostly release..
Standout Tracks: All of them.


7. Midwest Product - World Series Of Love (GI-10) 7.75 out of 10
Midwest Product is the perfect blend of Indie Rock with incredibly catchy electronics. Ben Benjamin carries on where MP left off, sans the vocals. Midwest Product create music I can always be in the mood for if it's on. So good.
Standout Tracks: Dead Cat, Bank, Swamp, ..eh, who am I kidding?
All of them.

"Asa Breed" proves that Mr. Dear is more than just an electronic pop producer. "Asa Breed" proves that he’s out to conquer the world of underground pop music. "Asa Breed" should be for everyone/anyone who likes clever/catchy music.
Standout Tracks: All of them, I don't foresee Mr. Dear releasing an "undesirable track" for a long time.


Twine is a nervous tree branch breaking in the dark background of an eerie winters night. Twine perfect their style of mixing dream pop with ambient IDM on this release rather well.
Standout Tracks: Endormie, In Through The Devices, Disconnected, From Memory, Violets, Halo

4. Idol Tryouts Vol 1 & 2 (GI-13/51) (tie) 8.75 out of 10
Ghostly picked some of their favorite tracks (some of mine too!) and placed them all on two of the best electronic compilations ever made. Some are full time Ghostly bands, some are cousin bands from other labels close to the Ghostly family. Volume one is a pitch perfect Indie Electronic Pop album. Volume 2 Side A is a terrific mix of Indie Pop with modern electronic soundscapes, and Volume 2 Side B is all gorgeous ambient music. Every song stands out on it's own. Seriously, this is one of the best Indie/Electronic compilations you could ever buy.
Standout Tracks: All (from Idol 1) Send You Back, Fit Black Man, Press + Burn, Bang Bang Lover, Spin Cycle, Wasting A Fall, ..and everything from Side B (from Idol 2)

This album gives me the hope that there are still great industrial bands out there. Dark metallic beats, "rock-y" synths, and "slightly dark" robotic vocals. If you like Industrial music "When The Blood Turns Black" is sure to be one of your favorite albums of that genre, guaranteed..
Standout Tracks: ALL.



2. Matthew Dear - Leave Luck To Heaven/Back Stroke (SPC-11/21) (tie) 8.75 out of 10
Matthew Dear is a brilliant Pop engineer. Way too overlooked. He mixes elements of Pop with Micro-Techno and vocals. So simple, so amazingly fresh, and incredibly relevant.
Standout Tracks: All of them, I can never get enough of either of these albums.

"Serial Hodgepodge", to me, is THE definition of s-e-x-y. Also it’s one of my favorite IDM/electronic albums ever made. Low end subs lay down the groove over nervous clicks, cuts, and glitchn' thumps. Buy this album NOW NOW NOW.
Standout Tracks: ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL

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