The Strangled

Straight to Ghost (2011)

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The music of the Strangled's new EP, Straight to Ghost, is not unlike that which you might have heard before. However, you may not have heard it in some time. The group's aesthetic takes one back to a time before the pop punk moniker was wrestled away from bands like Jawbreaker by teenagers with a fetish for shants, hair gel and mall trips or candy coated hardcore kids.

To be clear, there is also an obvious Ramones influence as well. Palm muted power chords and basic guitar solos will become a familiar presence after several listens. The vocal style of the groups singer is comparable to the likes of a trepidatious Josh Caterer of The Smoking Popes, while the groups song structure, in most cases, lacks their heavy handed pop sensibilities.

While the group relies upon somewhat formulaic chord and song structures, there is often something hidden beneath this veneer of apparent minimalism. The occasional drum break, melodic bass lead or dissonant guitar chord might impress the more disillusioned rock aficionado. Often these songs make one wish to sing along, perhaps to make up for a lack of background vocals.

If virtuosity or breakdowns are your favorite convention this EP is not for you. If you enjoy solid rock songs with the occasional curiosity you might want to pick up the Straight to Ghost EP.

You can find it streaming or download it for free at one of their various pages via www.thestrangled.com.