Ghost Stories
When learning about poetry, you initially look at stanzas formed in the most rudimentary of styles; the rhyming couplet. This is something that Visiting Ghosts took to heart, as all too often their lyrics adhere to this basic of rhythmic styles. In fact so strictly does Charles Campbell Jones stick to this in the opening track "Too Many Dead", that I find it sickeningly contrived. The resulting lyrics sound more like some improvisation from "Whose Line is it Anyway?" rather than the deep and meaningful ideas that were obviously the supposed goal.
I can hear exactly what Visiting Ghosts are trying to do. Citing influences of the macabre such as PJ Harvey, Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits, Visiting Ghosts have tried to situate shakey, anxiety ridden vocals over quite solid music. The result ends up sounding to me just like someone who can't sing. The iffy notes that are supposed to sound like someone of nervous disposition sharing their innermost thoughts, instead come across as a man in dire need of vocal training. This just doesn't sound like Campbell Jones has been scarred and is really hurting.
Lyrics revolving around how miserable they are, how depressing and mournful their lives are and how pent up they are about their innner thoughts; the fact that Visiting Ghosts put this into such literal words, gives the game away. There is no emotional baggage here. The reason their heroes (Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed, Captain Beefheart) achieved what Visiting Ghosts are trying so hard to convey, is that rarely, if ever, would they so obviously talk of their pain. Instead the use of arbitrary lyrics, or incredibly subtle metaphor, leaves the tone of their voices alone to communicate that inner turmoil. In such a case, it is almost like the artist, try as they might, can't hide their suffering. The emotional chaos inside is unable to be contained, manifesting itself in the deliverance of the lyrics and having an eerie beauty which Visiting Ghosts prove can't be acted. That irrepressible hurt needs to be the real deal.
The album meanders all over the place, from dirty messed up soundscapes to beautifully written and executed keys. The music never settles into one genre and effortlessly manages to achieve what Campbell Jones is trying so hard to do with his vocals. If he had chosen a different subject matter, something utterly banal, I think the result would have been astounding. Listeners are more perceptive than Visiting Ghosts give them credit for. If you want them to hear how you're hurting, they will. If you're that bloody miserable that you have to openly talk about it, go and see the Samaritans. Or even better juxtapose it with upbeat music. Think The Smiths' "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now". That's art!
Maybe I'm hyper-critical? But I've learnt that if I'm thinking it, then someone else will be too. If you're making music in an esoteric manner and want to be compared to some of music's greatest poets then you need to employ the subtlety of these literary geniuses. Visiting Ghosts are so close to getting it spot and yet their openly pitiful words and primary-school like rhymes let it all down. I hope they take note as a few adjustments could see them right up there with their idols.