Music > Album Reviews

School of Seven Bells // Ghostory

19/04/12

Release Date: 27th February 2012

School of Seven Bells- Ghostory (Full Time Hobby)

School of Seven Bells release their new album ‘Ghostory’, a title tricky to write and confusing to say but hypnotically intriguing all the same. Guitarist /producer, Benjamin Curtis and now solo vocalist, Alejandra Deheza continue to make ethereal and electronica music that wouldn’t sound out of place from downtown New York clubs to the soundtrack of a trippy Skins episode. The album is a mix of 80’s synth, light goth techno and (according to the PR sheet) ‘ambient shoegaze.’ If this means distorted guitars, ambient rock and droning riffs, I could hear them throughout the album. Ghostory starts strong, track one ‘The Night’ is 1980’s electronic at its finest. Despite the slow start, the repetition of the line “Devour me” running through the chorus becomes instantly loveable and the upbeat tempo mixed with Alejandra’s angelic and mesmerising vocals really set a contrasting but magical collaboration. Much of the album is reminiscent of The Smiths’ 1985 ‘Meat is Murder’ album, until a sudden dubstep drop throws the song majestically back into 2012. Unfortunately, the album sags in the middle and the music, although still ethereal and hypnotic, turns a little dreary and it feels like School of Seven Bells has lost the subtlety and depth it had previously when Alejandra’s twin and former band member, Claudia sang too. Luckily, the last tracks continue the dubstep/80’s feel but add a surprising grunge backing-guitar into the mix and save ‘Ghostory’, making it the best album to date from the NYC duo.

8/10 Freja Hoskins