Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts

Last updated

Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts
Chasing after shadows.jpg
Studio album by
Hammock
ReleasedMay 18, 2010 (2010-05-18)
Genre Ambient, post-rock
Length72:39
Label Hammock Music
Producer Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson
Hammock chronology
Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow
(2008)		Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts
(2010)		Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts (Outtakes)
(2010)

Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts is the fourth studio album by American ambient/post-rock band Hammock. It was released on May 18, 2010 by the band's own label, Hammock Music.

Contents

In addition to the standard edition, Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts was released in a limited edition format with a photobook and four-track EP titled North West East South . The album received generally positive reviews. Critics praised the songwriting and production, though some reviewers criticized the album's length.

Background

After releasing the minimalistic Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow in 2008, Hammock wanted to create an album with "a very full atmosphere". [1] "It wasn't like an intentional reaction to Maybe rather it felt like a natural progression of what we wanted to do at the time", the band commented. "As an artist, that's the voice you have to follow." [1]

Music

The band described Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts as "[their] most bombastic record so far", [2] and as "more organic". [2]

Byrd and Thompson were inspired by the landscape of the Deep South, where they both grew up, and from "an understanding of the impermanence of life. When we look at this aspect of the human experience straight in the face we have a greater appreciation of life but at the same time we also experience a deep sense of melancholy." [2] They cited atmospheric artists such as Brian Eno, William Basinski, Stars of the Lid, Cocteau Twins, the Church and the Cure as influences, in addition to more cinematic acts, including Sigur Rós, Max Richter, Johann Johannsson and Arvo Pärt. [2]

Composition

Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts was written by the band by introducing "almost every idea we have" [1] and then "[criticizing themselves] to death". [1]

Release and promotion

Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts was released on May 18, 2010 in the US and June 14, 2010 in the UK. [3] The band made outtakes from the album available online. [4] A limited edition of the album, featuring a photobook and four-track EP titled North West East South, was also released. [5] The album's title described "only seeing the shadow of things and not their reality". [2] The band stated that the use of ellipsis "both continues and separates a thought." [2]

Hammock collaborator Thomas Petillo created the album's artwork while traveling through the Deep South with Byrd and Thompson. The figures floating in water were photographed at Hot Springs, Arkansas. however, Petillo intended the cover to represent rebirth. [6]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [7]
BBC (favorable) [8]
Drowned in Sound Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Pitchfork (7.3/10) [10]
PopMatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]

Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts was met with positive critical reception. BBC critic Mike Diver ranked it as "one of the most beautiful albums of this year." [8] James Mason of AllMusic noted that "as objective a concept as perfection is, it is hard to think of what Hammock have achieved here as anything else." [7] Ryan Reed of PopMatters described the album as "perfect sonic accompaniment for the half-dreams that plague a restless sleep." [3]

Critics noted that the album featured "a slight move toward more conventional rock structures" [10] and more acoustic textures than their previous releases, [7] but that fans of Hammock's previous releases would still enjoy it. [3] [10] When comparing the album with Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow, Diver criticized the album for feeling "uncomfortably boxed in, its textures equally rich but unable to flow in the manner its makers previously permitted." [8]

Joe Tangari of Pitchfork described the music as "intensely visual... you really get the sense of shapes shifting and forms moving." [10] Mason praised the album's songwriting. "The temptation to slip into melodrama with music like Hammock's must be immense, but Byrd and Thompson know when to push over the top and when to pull back, take in the surrounding view, and pour that beauty into their songs," he said. "The exhilarating thing about this record is that they walk this line, between being at the top and going over." [7] Ferguson felt the strings were underused on the album, noting that "when they do come to the fore, the arrangements are excellent." [9] The album's production was praised by Mason. [7] Reed said his favorite moments were those where "the surprising details creep in". [3] In contrast, Diver described the production as "patchy". [8]

The album's length was noted by reviewers. Mason praised the album for "[working] as an entire piece, not a mere collection of songs." [7] Tangari said the album was "easy to luxuriate in for its full run time." [10] Writing for Drowned in Sound , Robert Ferguson praised the opening three tracks, but felt that "from here is where Chasing After Shadows... starts to feel a bit samey." [9] "Halfway through the album... the euphoria starts to wear off," Reed said, "and it becomes difficult not to beg for a fresh chord change or a new instrument." [3]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson

No.TitleLength
1."The Backward Step"4:58
2."Tristia"5:46
3."Little Fly/Mouchette"5:52
4."Breathturn"6:00
5."In the Nothing of a Night"8:48
6."Andalusia"7:42
7."The Whole Catastrophe"3:52
8."The World We Knew As Children"5:39
9."Dust Is the Devil's Snow"6:43
10."How Can I Make You Remember Me?"4:55
11."You Lost the Starlight in Your Eyes"9:14
12."Something Other Than Remaining"3:10
Total length:72:39

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Choir (alternative rock band)</span> American alternative rock band

The Choir is an atmospheric alternative rock band currently comprising Derri Daugherty on guitar and lead vocals, Steve Hindalong on drums and percussion, and Dan Michaels on saxophone and Lyricon. Long-time bass guitarist Tim Chandler died in 2018, and guitarist Marc Byrd was the fifth member of the band between 2005–2014. As of 2024, the band has released 19 full-length studio albums, three EPs, five live albums, one single-disc compilation album, one retrospective box set, and is still actively recording new material.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church (band)</span> Australian rock band

The Church are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980. Initially associated with new wave, neo-psychedelia, and indie rock, their music later came to feature slower tempos and surreal soundscapes reminiscent of alternative rock, dream pop, and post-rock. Glenn A. Baker has written that "From the release of the 'She Never Said' single in November 1980, this unique Sydney-originated entity has purveyed a distinctive, ethereal, psychedelic-tinged sound which has alternatively found favour and disfavour in Australia." The Los Angeles Times has described the band's music as "dense, shimmering, exquisite guitar pop".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Powles</span> Musical artist

Timothy Guy Gerard Powles is a New Zealand music producer and artist. Also known as "timEbandit" Powles, his main instrument and first love was the drums and percussion in general, though over time he's become a dab hand on a medium-sized pile of instruments and gadgets, not to mention the studio itself- and virtual instruments as they occur.

<i>O How the Mighty Have Fallen</i> 2005 studio album by The Choir

O How The Mighty Have Fallen is the 11th studio release, and tenth full-length studio album, by alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2005. Guitarist Marc Byrd officially became the fifth member of the band with this album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hammock (band)</span> American ambient/post-rock band

Hammock is an American ambient post-rock duo formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2005 by Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson.

Hammock Music, based in Nashville, Tennessee, is the label imprint owned and operated by the band Hammock. The label is distributed by Secretly Distribution. In 2015, Hammock Music signed Slow Meadow, an ambient music project by Matt Kidd, to their label imprint. Hammock Music released Slow Meadow's self-titled debut in August 2015.

Carey Marcus "Marc" Byrd is an American musician, writer, and producer best known as one-half of the post-rock/ambient duo Hammock with Andrew Thompson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junk (song)</span> 1970 song by Paul McCartney

"Junk" is a song written by English musician Paul McCartney and released on his debut studio album McCartney (1970). He wrote the song in 1968 with the Beatles while the group were studying Transcendental Meditation in India. After the band's return from India, he recorded the song as a demo at Kinfauns, George Harrison's home, before sessions for The Beatles took place. It was ultimately passed over for inclusion on The Beatles and Abbey Road in 1969. After the group's break-up, McCartney recorded the song for inclusion on McCartney. The lyrics describe various items in a junkyard. A slightly longer, instrumental version of the song, titled "Singalong Junk", also appears on the album.

Common Children was a Christian alternative rock band composed of Marc Byrd, Drew Powell, and Hampton Taliaferro.

<i>Kenotic</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Hammock

Kenotic is the debut studio album by American ambient/post-rock band Hammock. It was released in March 2005 by Hammock Music. Reception of the record was generally positive, and cemented their musical reputation before their EP Stranded Under Endless Sky was released later that year. In December 2005, American webzine Somewhere Cold ranked Kenotic No. 5 on their 2005 Somewhere Cold Awards Hall of Fame list. The song titles "Through a Glass Darkly", "Winter Light", and "The Silence" were taken from the names of Ingmar Bergman films. The track title "You May Emerge From This More Dead Than Alive" came from the dialog of Ingmar Bergman'sWinter Light.

<i>Burning Like the Midnight Sun</i> 2010 studio album by The Choir

Burning Like the Midnight Sun is the 12th studio release, and 11th full-length studio album, by alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2010.

<i>Longest Year</i> 2010 EP by Hammock

Longest Year is the fourth EP by American ambient band Hammock. It was released on December 14, 2010 by the band's own label, Hammock Music.

<i>Stranded Under Endless Sky</i> 2005 EP by Hammock

Stranded Under Endless Sky is the first extended play by American ambient band Hammock. A follow-up to the band's first studio album, Kenotic, Stranded Under Endless Sky was released on compact disc through the band's own label, Hammock Music, on July 26, 2005. A 140-gram 12" vinyl version was released earlier that month, on July 16, 2005, through Republic of Texas Recordings and Somewherecold Records; it was limited to 100 copies on clear vinyl and 900 copies on black vinyl.

<i>The Loudest Sound Ever Heard</i> 2012 studio album by The Choir

The Loudest Sound Ever Heard is the 14th studio release, and 13th full-length studio album, by alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2012.

<i>Departure Songs</i> 2012 studio album by Hammock

Departure Songs is the fifth studio album by American ambient/post-rock band Hammock. It was released on October 2, 2012 by the band's own label, Hammock Music.

<i>Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow</i> 2008 studio album by Hammock

Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow is the third studio album by American ambient/post-rock band Hammock. It was released on May 6, 2008 on Darla Records and was reissued in 2013 by the band's own label, Hammock Music.

<i>Raising Your Voice Trying to Stop an Echo</i> 2006 studio album by Hammock

Raising Your Voice...Trying to Stop an Echo is the second studio album by American ambient/post-rock band Hammock. It was released on November 21, 2006, on Darla Records. It was reissued in 2011 by the band's own label, Hammock Music.

<i>Oblivion Hymns</i> 2013 studio album by Hammock

Oblivion Hymns is the sixth studio album by American ambient/post-rock band Hammock. It was released on November 26, 2013 by the band's own label, Hammock Music.

<i>Shadow Weaver</i> (The Choir album) 2014 studio album by The Choir

Shadow Weaver is the 16th studio release, and 14th full-length studio album, by alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2014. This was the last album to feature Marc Byrd as a member of the band, and the first time the Choir used crowdfunding to finance a new studio project. In 2019, UTR Media named Shadow Weaver as one of the "30 Best Gourmet Albums of the Decade (2010-2019)."

Slow Meadow is an American solo music project founded in Houston, Texas by Matt Kidd. Slow Meadow creates atmospheric ambient chamber music.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Andujar, Carlos (December 10, 2010). "Trying to Feel the Winter... A Conversation with Hammock". Synconation. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Alia, Lueda (August 26, 2010). "Hammock 08.26.10 – Interview". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Reed, Ryan (July 29, 2010). "Hammock: Chasing After Shadows...Living With the Ghosts". PopMatters . Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Hammock Music > Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts and Outtakes (2010)". Hammock Music . Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Hammock | Music > North West East South (2010)". Hammock Music . Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  6. ↑ Lopez, Samuel Valdes (September 29, 2010). "Hammock // The 405 Interview". The 405. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mason, James. "Chasing After Shadows...Living with the Ghosts – Hammock". AllMusic . Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Diver, Mike (December 7, 2010). "Review of Hammock – Chasing After Shadows… Living With the Ghosts". BBC . Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 Ferguson, Robert (July 20, 2010). "Album Review: Hammock – Chasing After Shadows... Living With the Ghosts". Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on August 20, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Tangari, Joe (June 16, 2010). "Hammock: Chasing After Shadows... Living With the Ghosts Album Review". Pitchfork Media . Retrieved August 20, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.