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Directions To See A Ghost Image
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

  • Summary: The sophomore album for the Austin, Texas band was produced by Erik Wofford.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Its muscular confidence and stylistic purity make it a must-listen for the psychedelically inclined, as well as an easy candidate for one of the best records of the year.
  2. Some progression and distinction from "Passover" to Directions to See a Ghost is discernable over the unremitting low-end vibrations, some tweaks to the combustive chemistry as it was previously established.
  3. It's kind of samey, sure--but in a formalist genre, that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
  4. If you isolate any random 45 seconds of Directions to See a Ghost's 70 minutes, you'll definitely be compelled to listen for another few minutes--after which time you'll probably start waiting for a solo or a shift in tone that might not even come.
  5. Urb
    60
    With many songs over four minutes and often consisting of blantantly stoned self-indulgent "jams," some trimming is needed.
  6. Q Magazine
    60
    While it makes for an impressive sound, it's hard not to yearn for more than the occasional flirtation with a second dimension, such as the sitar-driven 'Deer-Ree-Shee ' or the heavy riffed Krauturock-inspired groove that serves as the second half of 'Never/Ever.'
  7. The band call their dark noise "hypno-drone'n'roll", but they could do with less drone, more roll.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. CharlieQ.
    Jul 17, 2008
    10
    Some of the very best hard-edged, pure psychedelic drone you're likely to hear this year.
  2. DomH.
    Jun 6, 2008
    9
    Sure, the black angels aren't to everyone's taste, and some may deem them to be an anachronism, but it's hard to deny that Sure, the black angels aren't to everyone's taste, and some may deem them to be an anachronism, but it's hard to deny that what they do, they do well. To the converted, enjoy the shivers that DTSAG will send down your spine. Expand
  3. RogerM.
    Jun 4, 2008
    1
    Repetitive and boring, more of the same like the first record, just without any catchy songs or hooks.