Ghost
Limestone, 2023
9/10
The duo of Tim Hunter and Malarie McConaha, as The FBR they create plenty of roots sounds on this debut album that’s steeped in storytelling and southern ideas.
The rich and intimate “Before I Drown” starts the listen with thumping drums alongside fluid vocal harmonies, and “Rain On” follows with McConaha’s spirited electric guitar suiting the louder delivery of retro-rock song craft.
“Bottle Of Blues” and “Deadman’s Highway” land in the middle, where the former carries a frisky energy via the crisp drums and jangly moments, while the latter makes great use of Hunter’s soaring harmonica amid the buzzing guitars and lively demeanor.
Arriving near the end, the calmer “Independence Day” carries a soulful spirit and builds into a textured, Americana anthem, and “Still On The Run” exits with a unique dreaminess that’s both thoughtful and adventurous.
The band’s name is a direct nod to a Leonard Cohen song, and their formula might bring to mind legends like John Prine, Fleetwood Mac or Steve Earle, which no one is going to have a problem with.
Travels well with: Bonnie & Taylor Sims- Bonnie & Taylor Sims; Shadwick Wilde- Forever Home