I Am No Longer A Ghost
Photo provided by I Am No Longer A Ghost
UK-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Thomas Eatherton, aka I Am No Longer A Ghost, has just released his debut, thirteen-track, self-titled album.
From this new collection of music, we are pleased to feature three tunes, the first of which is entitled “Wonder Wheel,” which explores the idea of feeling hopeless in the aftermath of a failed relationship. The ingredients to this track are rather simple, but the result is a lo-fi, warbling exploration over a melancholic sea that enters the ears in the way that Elliott Smith first won over the hearts of his listeners. There is no fancy production to hide behind, and the subtle layers of vocals beg to be heard through headphones. The additional elements of ascending keys and what appears to be a xylophone add just enough flavor to keep listeners engaged, and this track, alone, is worth the price of admission.
Next, “Her Doom Met My Gloom” is a more traditional folk song, though the lo-fi and analogue residue remains, allowing listeners the same respite into the land of introspection. An acoustic guitar dominates the arrangement, with a remarkable vocal harmony on the refrain and subject matter that is so dark and raw that we cannot help fall in love with it and hang onto every word, including lyrics like: “We will find some new ways to die,” which wonderfully resound amidst the themes of being a hopeless romantic and, at the same time, codependent. In just under two and a half minutes, this song will dig its claws directly into your spirit.
Finally, Eatherton comes up for a breath of air with the more upbeat sounds of “Veritaserum,” a song about “seizing the day and spontaneity, with references to Harry Potter, adventure, the shortness of life and the inevitability of death.” And while we certainly prefer the two former, more brooding tracks, we can fully appreciate the need for listeners to not completely lose themselves within the dark pit of despair. The multi-layered vocal performance remains intact here, with a polished electric guitar delivering dreamy, reverberating notes. The final third also contains a full-band arrangement, which ultimately goes quite ballistic, bringing “Veritaserum” closer to the realm of indie rock than the previous tunes.
I Am No Longer A Ghost’s album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Peter Waterman of Longcroft Recording (Melanie Baker, Hattie Briggs, Uriah Heep), mastered by Jack Shirley (Deafheaven). We highly encourage you to take a the rest of the record for a spin: