The Apes are primitive, yet relevant
Ghost Games is listenable, archaic art-rock.
Published Feb. 26, 2008
Art-rock has always been deathly scared of being too archaic. What is the point of being “artsy” if you haven’t evolved to a higher state of being in which you can hold your newly found chromosomes over everyone’s head, along with your super rad vinyl copy of Kraftwerk you never listen to?
Well, The Apes don’t think that way.
Ever since the band’s conception in 1999, they have been shamelessly dragging art-rock kicking and screaming back to the Stone Age, blending it with Sabbath-esque riffs and never looking back.
Was it mentioned that this bone-rattling sound comes from a band without a guitarist? Such an instrument isn’t needed when you have a bass-organ combo like The Apes.
Bone through the nose caveman bass is a complete understatement for Erick Jackson’s playing. It’s so primitive, the band’s moniker couldn’t make more sense, and Lester Bangs couldn’t be more proud. Amanda Kleinman compliments Jackson’s uber-distorted lines by matching them with keyboard tones that impeccably contrast the fuzz.
On its new album, Ghost Games, the group greatly benefits from new vocalist Breck Brunson, whose falsetto squeal adds a much-needed variety to the band’s sound. Immediately reminiscent of John Gourley (Portugal. The Man),
Brunson even uses his voice in a similar manner by soaring high above the busy mess of noise that lurks below. This helps advance The Apes’ sound beyond the sludgy dinosaur rock that is the staple of their music and allows for new-wave influenced segues and breakdowns.
Cranking the standout track “Dr. Watcher” through bass savvy speakers could result in some unexpected and uncontrollable ass shaking. The song begins with yet another plodding, fuzz-drenched bass line, then over time mutates into a danceable aural vista laden with synth lines that seem to belong to Talking Heads. All the while Brunson perfectly fills the vacant space with imagery presumably stemming from a paranoid sci-fi novel.
Ghost Games manages to stay fresh throughout most of the album due to constant experimentation.
The intro to “Which Witch Wuz” is bound to bring about confusion and laughter before jumping straight into even more madness. And like never before, the band has embraced pop-like melodies and choruses.
Having already established themselves as an enthralling live act, The Apes needed to augment their sound to become a more relevant studio band, and with Brunson taking frontman duties, they have succeeded.
Though the first several listens might leave the listener drained and slightly unimpressed, Ghost Games reveals its not-so-subtle victories through repetition, which is a telltale sign of a well-constructed album.
