The Black Angels – Directions to See a Ghost
The Black Angels, so named from the Velvet Underground song, “The Black Angel’s Death Song,” are a psychedelic indie rock band from Austin, Texas, who recently released their second album, Directions to See a Ghost, earlier this year.
If you’re a fan of psychedelic and shoegaze elements, you will enjoy this album. The album features guitar-driven, drone instrumentation and brooding vocals. I’ve read comparisons to The Doors when it comes to the vocals, but I can’t see the similarities right away. There are definitely some elements of Morrison in Alex Maas’ voice, but in my opinion, I think that both vocalists sing in a way matched for the genre, and this is what makes them different. But again, I won’t deny there aren’t any Morrison elements: “You in Color” features an indistinguishable spoken word a la Morrison, and the overall lyrical feel is as honest and daring as The Doors. A quick look at their influences listed on Myspace is no surprise—Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Raveonettes…this album definitely stands in line with these neo-psych bands.
The lyrics are more political and dark, true to the deeper and hidden thoughts of the American mind and society. This will be no surprise to fans of The Black Angels, as their first album, Passover (2006) was well-received for its lyrical content and trademark “drone n’ roll.” There is one thing about drone music that sometimes gets to me, is that the vocals are almost always at the same volume as the instruments, so that sometimes the vocals are drowned out by the heavy guitar strums or bass riffs. However, this doesn’t really limit the album in itself…it is still superb.
This was a highly anticipated album in the underground community, and it has definitely delivered with exceeded expectations. I believe I just missed their Toronto show, but if they play here again, I’ll be first in line fa sho. 
MP3s:
The Black Angels – You on the Run
Purchase at:
Insound
