Ghosts Of Television
Furthest Village From The Sun

On an EP dedicated to The Notorious B.I.G., it’s evident that Sydneysiders Ghosts of Television relish in throwing disparate elements into their music. From post-rock ambience to chaotic punk, pinning down this constantly in-flux band is a difficult exercise. Building on an impressive live reputation, Ghosts of Television have turned to former Gerling constituent Burke Reid to helm a decidedly raw and unpolished four-song disc.

Jagged, arpeggiated guitars introduce the slow-burning opening track, ‘Furthest Village from the Sun’. With melancholic keyboards and haunting, ethereal vocals, it’s a disarmingly subtle way to introduce the 16 minutes of music. Cue the plaintive narrative of ‘City of Painless Childbirth’, housing lyrics like, “There is no salvation you can buy”, crooned over eruptions of imperceptible guitar chords and synthesiser. It’s the closest Ghosts of Television come to having anything that could be considered radio-friendly.

‘Jubilation’ is the EP’s left-field contribution, sounding half way between Mogwai circa Mr Beast and, say, Mike Patton’s Tomahawk project. The vocals are spitfire and the competing guitars lines, along with what sounds like a melodica (the liner notes are essentially nonexistent), swirl in a maelstrom of melody. ‘Buzzrd’ is the ferocious finale that flits between lumbering and hyperactive, the vocals acerbic to the point of incomprehension.

Measured in its pace and fiery in its execution, Furthest Village From The Sun is a surprisingly self-assured EP for a debut release. Biggie would be proud.

by Dom Alessio