Ghosts of Television - Furthest Village from the Sun EP (Album)
If I were a tool I’d begin this article with a rant about Fugazi. I’d say this band sounds like Fugazi, and then I would wax lyrical about how far ahead of their time Fugazi were and how cool I am for liking them because cool people ‘in the know’ (currently tapping my nose) always liked Fugazi. But no, I’m not going to. Because you know what? At the risk of getting battered by a band of tea-drinking dudes wearing Vans, I’m going to declare that Fugazi weren’t ahead of their time at all. In fact, they were as derivative as Wolfmother. Which is no problem at all. In fact, being derivative is fine. Just because a band kicked off a style in awesome fashion doesn’t mean other bands can’t make a good fist of the genre. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have a pop band after the Beatles or a heavy metal band after Sabbath. And anyway, Fugazi sound like a heavy Weezer anyway, and were a bunch of sermonising twats that make Kevin Rudd look like a Shane Warne. So I suppose that is a rant about Fugazi.
So, yes, this ‘space-punk’ EP by Ghosts of Television, Furthest Village from the Sun, does remind me of Fugazi in many ways, but in saying that it they very much have their own sound. The opening track ‘Furthest village from sun’, is an outstanding piece of punk meets prog-rock (including a very Pink Floyd title). The track combines a beautiful, weeping string line, falsetto vocals with a warm organ backing (I am a sucker for organ), which builds to a strange tense climax. It is a majestic and beautiful track. What a great way to start off an EP. A masterstroke.
Track 2, City of Painless Childbirth is a more straightforward pop song. Nice and catchy, a little edgy, and with a great stabbing guitar line at the end. But I have to say it is slightly ordinary coming after such a masterful opener. Well maybe ordinary is the wrong word. It just isn’t as memorable. Odd title too.
Track 3, Jubilation, is another highlight. A searching, wrenched ballad, with an eerie, continuous modular guitar line and subtle strings.
Track 4, Buzzrd, is a discordant stab of punk with screeching guitar and vocals that crescendo to a maelstrom of screaming feedback. I’ve run out of superlatives. How about, invigorating. Sensational. One moment in the track sums this release up. The vocalist lets out a seemingly spontaneous yelp as the instruments around him around him erupt; a band with energy that is barely being contained.
A brilliantly different release, all of which is dedicated to the late Notorious B.I.G. (work that one out!) This is without doubt my favourite Oz release of the year so far. Cannot wait to see them live.
And for the record I thought Fugazi were rad.
