These Beautiful Ghosts

Mark Gardener | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 11, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: UFO
• ASIN: B000B6TR16
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #383,378 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Snow In Mexico

2. Getting Out Of Your Own Way

3. To Get Me Through

4. Magdalen Sky

5. Rhapsody

6. Summer Turns To Fall

7. Beautiful Ghosts

8. Flaws Of Perception

9. The Story Of The Eye

10. Where Are You Now?

11. Water And Wine

12. Gravity Flow

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Mark Gardener’s former band Ride is known for a droning, druggy guitar wash, of the kind practiced by My Bloody Valentine and their noise pop contemporaries in the early ‘90s. The title notwithstanding, These Beautiful Ghosts, Gardener’s first solo record since Ride’s messy break-up in 1996, does indeed sound more than a little haunted. At the very least, there’s a certain nostalgia in the wistful, autumnal tone of the record. But this is definitely not an attempt to raise the spirits of his past with fuzzboxes and feedback. Collaborating here with alt-country band (and fellow Oxford lads) Goldrush, it’s only occasionally one hears a hint of his old band’s hypnotic racket. The instrumental "Flaws of Perception" chugs through a melancholy opening, then blossoms into a still-polite delirium, while "Getting Out of Your Own Way" starts off mining the sparse '60s jangle pop that characterized Ride’s Carnival of Light before pleasantly trailing off into the ether. On other songs, Gardener sounds a little crusty, a little too restrained. "Magdalen Sky" hides a good central melody behind a wall of treacle, while other songs, like the eventually decent "Rhapsody"" take too long to find their way. Still, Goldrush's earthy accompaniment helps to leaven the pensive mood and if Gardener chooses to keep playing with them he stands a good chance of resurrecting himself for a second musical life. --Matthew Cooke

About the Artist

Mark Gardener has come a long way. As a teenager in 1988 he co-founded and fronted the band Ride, the Oxford, UK outfit that would help spearhead the "shoegazer" movement of the late 80s/early 90s and influence artists for years to come.

Mark’s solo debut, "These Beautiful Ghosts" is an album full of songs that hit right to the heart. Much like Ride, they are textural and seductive, but there is an intimacy embraced on the record that is undeniable. Gardener co-produced "These Beautiful Ghosts" with Bill Racine (The Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Sparklehorse). The album features the brilliance of the brothers Bennett (Robin and Joe) of the band Goldrush serving as backing band.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive Solo Debut!, October 17, 2005

By 

Jennifer A. Johnson (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: These Beautiful Ghosts (Audio CD)

I think I have been waiting for this album since Ride disassembled and the wait was more then worth it. Mark's album offers an enjoyable listen that anyone, not just shoegazer fans, can appreciate.

I was lucky enough to catch Mark on tour this past September, where I was treated to an incrediable show and a preview of this album. I needlessly worried that what I experienced at the show wouldn't be represented on the album, but knowing Mark, I should have known better. This album is Mark, and it is amazing because of that.

The album is a wonderful, wonderful record that demands to be played over and over again.

5.0 out of 5 stars 2 Thumbs Up, June 5, 2006

By 

Bandaid315 (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: These Beautiful Ghosts (Audio CD)

Mark Gardener has a soothing voice with upbeat melodies (especially in "Snow in Mexico") that make the songs particularly enjoyable to listen to and great for singing along. If you have an appreciation for talented musicians then you definately need to get this CD!

5.0 out of 5 stars "A warm and intriguing voice...", June 1, 2006

By 

Joe (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: These Beautiful Ghosts (Audio CD)

A warm and intriguing voice matched with beautiful melodies that sail throughout the songs found on These Beautiful Ghosts. His voice and accompaniment are so nicely balanced throughout the songs that it allows the listener to truly hear and appreciate all that is going on, which seems to be a rare treat these days. This CD is a great listen from beginning to end as the songs move effortlessly from one to the next.