CD Review

Ghost Parade – “Divide”

By Marcus Pan

Late 2000 is the starting date of Ghost Parade. They began with singer/guitarist Autumn and guitarist Lindsey Becker. The result was the 2001 single Twilight. Dying Breed in 2003 followed and about two years ago Divide was a glitter in the band's eye. Currently made up of additional guitarist Daniel Divens, bassist Azriel Sin and drummer George Buck.

At initial start, with Undertow, the opening is strong and heavy-handed on the guitar power chords. Nice start...but drumming is boring. It never changes, doesn't move, does nothing more than a metronome you can pick up at Hyway Music for under five bucks. By Stargazer I begin to notice that the vocals don't always mesh with the surrounding music. Certainly they're not bad, but they seem to have a different inborn rhythm. Stargazer is a powerful tune, almost grunge in likeness.

That disconnected vocal feeling grows by the time I Lose comes in. I'm not saying Autumn can't sing - he's got the standard gawf voice we know well. But I am saying I'm not sure him and the other guitarist hang out as much as they should. Things are off a tad, and Autumn does kind of lose key a little bit here during choruses it seems. Also out of key vocals become apparent on Divide as well. The low key music in the background allows Autumn to lead the song with his singing. Doesn't go so well. The lyrics are pretty banal too.

Show Me How You Do That picks up the pace. She's a Dutch Summer is probably my favorite here. A slow, smooth 4/4 ballad that meshes up all the component with much more cohesiveness than previous tracks. Suicide is pretty good too, with a heavier hand than the others but has an interesting bit of guitar twiddlies to liven things up. Following this is a cover of the Doors' The Crystal Ship done quite well. Catch Me if I Fall is a nice closer to Divide - it reminds me of Tri-State Killing Spree.

Ghost Parade are pretty standard, really. Goth rock. Period. Heavy but melodic, sometimes grungy, guitar chords with occasional box-style solos. Bargain basement bass with none of the trappings of...individuality. Same with the drums...metronomic at best. But if you still think Uncle Andy are the greatest thing to gawf (even though they're a rock band, mind) next to your black Doc Martens...well then have at it and prepare to be assimilated.

Contact Information:
Frank Johnson Productions
Post: 4052 NE 14th Ave., Portland, OR, 97212, USA
Phone: (503) 756-0486

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