EP2 by Hungry Ghosts

Hungry Ghosts EP 2.jpg

The Hungry Ghosts new EP, entitled ‘EP2’ is a torrential downpour of ethereal indie rock n roll. It has mood-swings, prog-rock breaks and lead guitar that wander like a butterfly. It’s a studio success and testament to an impassioned band in a storm well weathered.

As the EP kicked into motion, 90’s Indie band was brought to mind and haunted me throughout. Once The Hungry Ghosts’ delight in breaking punchy verse structures with long-winding choruses had bedded the 90’s English band, the look-a-like children were always bound to follow. Fortunately, they picked a good mate, as what My Vitriol lacked in dizzying commercial heights, they made up for in passionate performances and a sound that was their own. A trait much emulated by The Hungry Ghosts.

The Editor‘s like delivery of the vocals add an undeniable weight and rawness to the melodies. There are few bands that can boast such a capable lead singer, and in Luke, The Hungry Ghosts have a clear front-man. However, in my opinion, it’s the subtly placed (and beautifully sung) backing vocals (Tiffany) that create the emotional lift throughout the EP and provide an eye-of-the-storm break from the calamity surrounding. The harmonies are superb and the chorus always seems to relieve the tension in the lead singer’s voice.

Throughout the EP the band break away into prog-rock style instrumentals. The slow plucked guitar melodies and crashing symbols go some way to creating that ethereal indie sound that puts The Hungry Ghosts in a genre on their own in the Hong Kong music scene. In the listening I found myself frequenting old pathways back to the greatly atmospheric sounds of Explosions in the Sky and their genre-betrothed kinsmen 65 Days of Static. It works well and is a sure sign that the band love to perform and lose themselves in the music. The drummer does a great job of matching the percussion to the atmosphere, but personally I would love to see The Hungry Ghosts employ a great deal more tom drums. This EP is a thunderstorm and an extra rumble here and there wouldn’t go amiss.

Although EP2 is overall and excellent piece of work, I have to admit that I wasn’t gripped by the songs lyrically. I found myself wanting to be caught-up in the content beneath the melody, but never really found that breakthrough line. At times, it all seems very familiar and although originality is hard to find in a well-played genre, the words themselves are something you can make your own.

All in all, it’s a brilliant effort and marks the quality of a local Hong Kong band well worth your support.

I am most certainly a fan.

Chris Dabbs
(christopher.dabbs@yahoo.co.uk)

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