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Ghost Notes
by
Ghost Notes Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: The first release from the Chicago indie rock band's original line-up since 1997's Eight Arms To Hold You was produced by Brad Wood.
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Top Track

Laughing in the Sugar Bowl
That day Chinatown burned down I saw you start the fire So deep, so sweet, Alphabet Street, what a poet what a liar Gotta spell check it (A) A, (B)... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Paste Magazine
    Jul 7, 2015
    91
    After all these years, the members of Veruca Salt are like sparks banging into each other, their notes and beats still giving off heavy heat. And ultimately, that is what makes Ghost Notes work.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Jul 10, 2015
    83
    It’s a celebration of the two of them--Post and Gordon, back together, joyous and rocking out, the past behind them.
  3. Magnet
    Sep 22, 2015
    80
    As comebacks go, it's perfect. [No. 124, p.61]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Consequence
    Jul 7, 2015
    75
    It’s been 18 years since the original lineup tackled their original sound, so Ghost Notes slows things down to half the tempo to pretend like nothing has changed. For 14 songs, it’s easy to pretend that’s true.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Jul 29, 2015
    70
    The group's first with its original lineup since 1997, is great by any standard.
  6. Pitchfork
    Jul 13, 2015
    70
    Sometimes the songwriting relies too heavily on swelling harmonies and crescendos, and occasional lyrical clichés grate.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Jul 7, 2015
    40
    There’s precious little to pique the listener’s interest.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. PropRod
    Jul 12, 2015
    10
    American Thighs was great, Eight Arms to Hold You was good. 2015's Ghost Notes is slightly less great than American Thighs. Don't take thatAmerican Thighs was great, Eight Arms to Hold You was good. 2015's Ghost Notes is slightly less great than American Thighs. Don't take that the wrong way - I do mean that in the positive sense.

    Nina and Louise are meant to sing together, they compliment each other and the melodies and harmonies they hit on Ghost Notes bring me back to my teen years, jamming American Thighs nonstop.

    I've heard comeback (if that's what you want to call this - to many people, they never left) albums, some good, most of them lacking in their attempt. This could have easily been their debut album and they would have still skyrocketed to stardom.

    Don't forget about Jim and Steve! These guys have not missed a beat over the years and sound ferocious as ever.    … Expand
  2. sonicfan2000
    Aug 6, 2017
    10
    This marks my first review in over 2 years, I'm glad to be coming back and making more. Love this album, purchased from amazon on october 4,This marks my first review in over 2 years, I'm glad to be coming back and making more. Love this album, purchased from amazon on october 4, 2016 and been a fan since. Ever since i got into Veruca Salt circa July 2015, i couldn't get enough of them. I even like their previous 2 albums made in Nina's absence (which are well worth a listen in my opinion) but the important thing is they reunited and made this beautiful album. My favorites are "sound of leaving," "princeof wales," "lost to me," and "I'm telling you now" but i really love everysong!… Expand
  4. himay333
    Jul 27, 2015
    9
    I enjoyed much of American Thighs and Eight Arms and even a bit of Resolver, but none of them were able to get me to listen to the entireI enjoyed much of American Thighs and Eight Arms and even a bit of Resolver, but none of them were able to get me to listen to the entire album. Ghost Notes on the other hand has no filler, nothing you really want to skip, nothing to detract from the album as a whole. The sound of the album can feel dated, or timeless depending most likely on your age. For me, though it sounds like an album from another era - it's also so catchy, so endearing, so well done that "concern" goes right out the window.

    My current favorite is "Lost To Me" a song of a relationship that has already ended, but both participants are still attached to each other and trying to find a way out.    … Expand
  5. marcmyworks
    Sep 18, 2016
    7
    Veruca Salt came back to form with great harmonies and some decent tracks. Though it is the first album in 10 years that features co-founderVeruca Salt came back to form with great harmonies and some decent tracks. Though it is the first album in 10 years that features co-founder Nina Gordon on vocals, I was surprised to hear her sing mostly back-up and harmonies rather than having equal time to shine with Louise Post. Perhaps in an effort to bring the group back they chose not to focus on who sang the lead for each song but rather chose their best efforts.… Expand

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