From Amazon.co.uk Review
Cherry Ghost-–a.k.a vocalist/frontman Simon Aldred plus band-–formed in Bolton in 2005, having taken their name from a favourite Wilco song. Following charismatic singles like "Mathematics," and the melancholic "People Help People," Cherry Ghost are now ready to unleash
Thirst for Romance--an album Aldred has described as "Willie Nelson meets Walt Disney". What this curious description amounts to is an accomplished collection of warm, accessible songs that veer between alt country and indie rock, providing suitable frames for Aldred’s sandpapery vocals and obscure lyricism. Cherry Ghost’s influences seem fairly overt: you can hear wafts of Lambchop, Oasis, Badly Drawn Boy--and Willie Nelson--amongst the varied structures. The inaugural title track sets things off at a brisk canter, paving the way for a set that’s diverse without breaking too much ground. The merry "4AM" is an obvious gem, as is the anthem-in-waiting "Mountain Bird"; these simple, affecting songs are contrasted by more ambitious material like "Roses", the string-laden "False Alarm" and the Beatles-style blues-rocker "Here Come the Romans." While Aldred isn’t quite the poet he believes himself to be, he does produce some captivating lyrical images, and his band perform impeccably throughout. Not a hugely innovative album, but an engaging debut nonetheless. --
Paul Sullivan
