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Ghosts Of The Great Highway
by
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Ghosts Of The Great Highway Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

  • Summary: 'Ghosts' marks the debut of the latest band from Mark Kozelek (Red House Painters). Filling out the lineup are RHP drummer Anthony Koutsos, American Music Club drummer Tim Mooney, and bassist Geoff Sanfield (Black Lab).

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Honestly isn't too different from Painters. [Listen 2 This supplement, Nov 2003, p.39]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Splendid
    90
    Ghosts of the Great Highway easily ranks among the very best of Kozelek's dense discography, and it seems fair to suggest that it will become the measuring stick against which any future non-Red House Painters material is compared.
  3. PopMatters
    90
    Ghosts of the Great Highway represents an expansive, continent-traversing narrative that evokes the literary style of John Steinbeck and the vivid imagery of everyday American life captured in the watercolors of Edward Hopper.
  4. Mojo
    80
    [Kozelek] has never sounded more inspired, achieving a rich balance of haunting atmosphere and twangy grit. [Feb 2004, p.101]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Neumu.net
    80
    Ghosts of the Great Highway is one of those albums that you want to have around for when life gets you down.
  6. Q Magazine
    80
    With Kozelek's compelling ache of a voice to the fore, his star deserves to wax anew. [Mar 2004, p.113]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Stylus Magazine
    38
    With a snoozilicious country-rock sound that makes even the Eagles seem crisp by comparison, Kozelek appears to have temporarily mothballed his greater sonic ambitions and opted instead for a niche as a latter-day Mazzy Star for boys.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. peten
    Jan 29, 2004
    10
    Haunting at times, brimming with beauty the next.
  2. jarvisp
    Jan 9, 2004
    10
    This is what Ryan Adams, Wilco, and all the Ben's have been trying to make, and cannot. The loud jangles and crisp vocals of Kozelek are This is what Ryan Adams, Wilco, and all the Ben's have been trying to make, and cannot. The loud jangles and crisp vocals of Kozelek are unmatched as this surpasses all his previous outputs (incl. RHP)… Expand
  4. PaulRocks
    Jan 17, 2006
    10
    The is possibly Kozeleks best and most consistant body of work. It is an album of stunning melodies merging acoustic and electric to The is possibly Kozeleks best and most consistant body of work. It is an album of stunning melodies merging acoustic and electric to beautiful effect as he recalls the "Ghosts" of the titles. It culminates in the mighty Duk Koo Kim which weighs in at 14 minutes ( and is apparently the number of rounds the boxer of the title fought in his tragic fight that claimed his life)… Expand
  5. IanC
    Feb 21, 2005
    10
    This is a great album, from the guitar playing to the lyrics. The album as a whole is like a soft blanket pulled over you, it feels good.
  6. Darryl
    Oct 28, 2005
    10
    His voice is so soaring that the harmonies tend to bury the clever lyrics and most capable accompanying bandmates. Nothing's missing His voice is so soaring that the harmonies tend to bury the clever lyrics and most capable accompanying bandmates. Nothing's missing here. Great songs, great singer, great band. Gentle Moon burys the entire state catalogue of Tennessee.… Expand
  7. MichaelM
    Dec 6, 2005
    10
    This is my life support record, one of the best albums I'll ever hear, I'm sure.
  8. RobC
    May 24, 2004
    8
    Excellent work from Kozalek and co. Many superlatives have been used to sum up his RHP work and his newer stuff. Suffice to stay haunting and Excellent work from Kozalek and co. Many superlatives have been used to sum up his RHP work and his newer stuff. Suffice to stay haunting and emotional always rise to the top. For anyone who favours the long term rewards that come from listening to albums of this quality, you will not be disappointed. I was a bit surprised by the Spanish influences though. … Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Best Album of 2003
46
#46 Most Shared Album of 2003

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