Customer Reviews

Ghosts

5 star:		(2)
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3 star:		(1)
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"Irishman Mark Geary, offers an outstanding sophomore release in "Ghosts." His obscurity should end here: With sparse but superlative meditations like "Beautiful," "You're the Only Girl," the pretty lullaby "Mid-nite Sun" and the nearly nine-minute "Hold Tight," Geary's songwriting and delivery recall such top contemporary practitioners as Ron Sexsmith. "Ghosts" also evokes Van Morrison, particularly his early-1970s era. Perhaps most satisfying about the album is that such a project can be released in 2005 at all-apart from occasional drum programming, these are fully organic, natural-sounding recordings; vocoder, synthesizers and other sound manipulators need not apply. "Ghosts" is a collection of superb songs delivered with a quiet intensity that will endear itself to listeners." Billboard Magazine

Being an avid music fan, it's always a joy coming across an artist such as Mark Geary - of whom I know nothing, have no preconceptions nor any expectations. Sometimes you get a hunch you should be listening to a certain album, it might be the cover-art, catching a snippet of one song or an interesting press-release or bio of the artist that piques your curiosity, and more often than not that curiosity is rewarded, and so it is with 'Ghosts'.

Mark Geary has a sound that is rooted in the folk and rock of his Irish background, but much like his countryman David Gray he weaves in subtle shades of electronica here and there to give these songs a modern feel.

The first two tracks 'Beautiful' and 'Ghosts' are sweetly accessible and uplifting, while 'Morphine' is much more hushed and sinister but no less better for it. Elsewhere, 'Whisper (Set Your Guns)' has a lovely, memorable arrangement and depite being more downbeat than most of the other songs it might just be the pick of the bunch here. The only real mis-step is the jaunty 'Fanfare', which feels like the aural equivalent of eating too much candyfloss then riding on a merry-go-round.

Ghosts mightn't contain anything truly revelatory, but the more adventurous fans of a singer like Damien Rice should still find alot to like in this warm, spirited effort.

I went to Barnes and Noble a few days ago and found this interesting cover. I wanted to listen to it and I couldn't 'cause the songs where not yet available in the store, but something told me I had to take it home anyway. I was right. Mark Geary caught my attention inmediatly. All of a sudden his simple and deeply poetic lyrics reminded me a few songs by Elliott Smith, Wilco, and other artists I really admire. Mark Geary is one of those artists you just want to huge and thank for the few good moments they give through their music. I'm sure it's only a matter of time for him to get the attention he deserves. Buy this Cd, definitely. you won't regret!