Songs of Ghastly Menace is the debut album for the Chicago-based band Ghastly Menace. There’s not much to say here other than this is a very sweet album with beautiful melodies and ethereal vocals. It sounds like it would be the soundtrack to an independent film starring Joseph Gordon Levitt or Elijah Wood or some twee hipster man like that. However, a few songs go beyond the twee and pack some punch, like “Real Life”—screaming lyrics, feedback, and strong drums. A lot of the songs sound the same, but there are a few standouts. Overall, not bad. Bonus: they’re playing at Middle of the Map 2015 if you feel inclined to check them out.
Recommended If You Like: Fleet Foxes, Noah and the Whale, Devotchka, She and Him
Recommended Tracks: 4 (While You’re Here), 2 (Closing), 6 (Real Life)
Do Not Play: None
Written by Caroline Roe on 04/11/2015
