Hailing from San Francisco and consisting of Allyson Baker – Guitar/Vocals, Erin McDermott – Bass and Tony Sevener – Drums, Dirty Ghosts produce exciting and hook-laden psych-rock. Their EP Cataract showcases this perfectly.
The EP consists of three tracks of percussive noise pop that are as equally at home on the dancefloor as they are on indie radio stations throughout the listening world.
'Cataract' is the lead single from the titular 5 track EP. It is ferocious post-punk electro-pop that sounds like Blondie through a scratched, 1970’s CRT television with the contrast turned way up. Allyson Baker’s sublime delivery echoes that of James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem; cool, detached but also energised. The accompanying video is also singular and demonstrates a quirky humour, directed as it is by Derrick Beckles, creator of Adult Swim’s Totally For Teens, Hot Package, The Hopes, TV CARNAGE and writer for Eric Andre and WHY?
'Witch Hunt' and 'Quicksand Castle' continue in this vein. Warm analogue synths, sharp chords and tribal drums. It echoes Ladyhawke, Devo and Baker’s main influence, Chrome.
The Tobacco remix of 'Cataract' is a highlight. All detuned and deep synths with a wonderfully re-worked fat moog bassline. The other remix, from their first album, Metal Moon, 'Ropes That Way (Mikey Young Remix)', concludes what is a superb EP of melodic synthpop.
