Trent Hancock & Mike Cooper are the forces behind ghostbird, who released their self-titled EP June 30. Their mission with ghostbird, which literally means owl, is to "blend musical styling with social substance". Fitting to the nomenclature, the EP is wise, stately, a bit mysterious, and best played at night. Their music certainly does not conjure up your stereotypical view of their homebase, San Diego, CA.
ghostbird likens their sound to Postal Service, Radiohead, and Spoon. These comparisons are fair as indie artists tend to be genre benders and blenders. The music generally feels inorganic and takes a couple listens for the hooks to show their teeth. I know it is done purposefully, but the percussion is performed as if the drummer is playing to a completely different song.
Faithful readers know that I am not a fan of electronica, a genre that ghostbird flirts with, but actually uses in small, tolerable doses. The majority of the tracks didn't give me much of a reason to return to them, but the brooding power of "Night Kills Day" and peppy bounce of "Caroline" are will earn a place on the ol' iPOD. These two tracks are much closer to the straight-forward pop rock readers trust me to recommend.
iPOD-worthy: 2, 4
ghostbird on MySpace. Official site.
Check out the video for the single "Toy Soldier":
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