Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost Review

Posted by Nick Krenn on 09.13.2011

Girls new album Father, Son, Holy Ghost is a blessing.



Track List:

01 Honey Bunny
02 Alex
03 Die
04 Saying I Love You
05 My Ma
06 Vomit
07 Just a Song
08 Magic
09 Forgiveness
10 Love Like a River
11 Jamie Marie

Girls debut full-length, 2009’s ironically named Album, was a well-received success for the group consisting of main members Christopher Owens and Chet “JR” White. Album crossed into so many genres and variations of rock music that it was almost hard to classify. Thankfully the band was and still is part of the True Panther label, so it’s easy enough to refer to them as an indie band. Girls followed up Album with an EP in 2010, Broken Dreams Club, that found the group sonically expanding from Album’s recording limitations. Better produced and polished, Broken Dreams Club was also accepted with praise upon its release and signaled that Girls were not just some flash-in-the-pan success. Maybe they would be the next big indie act.

Father, Son, Holy Ghost answers with a resounding ‘YES’ as the band leaps forward once again to create what can only be considered one of the best indie releases of the year. Marked by influences from the ‘60s and ‘70s, everything is free game as Girls continue to cross genres creating a sound that’s both retro and modern. Christopher Owens, the band’s chief songwriter, spent much of his childhood growing up in the Children of God cult where he was not allowed to listen to any music. Owens called Album an “overflow of expression” as he explored various aspects of music that he missed out on during his early youth. Holy Ghost is just as flooded with Owens spinning songs consisting of pop, love ballads, and heartbreak.



This album is one of the most consistently ‘good’ albums I’ve heard this year. Even in comparison to the much heralded Bon Iver release, Holy Ghost has more accessibly listenable tracks that you actually want to hear repeatedly without hesitation. Many of the songs off Bon Iver required an emotional mood from me before I felt like returning to them. However, that doesn’t mean Holy Ghost lacks any of the complexity or the emotional resonance possessed by Bon Iver.

The arrangements in Girls new album are some of the best you’ll ever hear this year. Many of the songs utilize the organ, flute, and R&B / gospel backup singers. If you were to read this without any knowledge of lead single “Vomit”, then you would probably think the songs are struggling for grandiose appeal, throwing one idea on top of the other. However, if you’ve heard “Vomit”, then you know that the added voices of the female backup choir and the organ bring a beauty and charm that would not have existed in a song about a guy desperately trying to find his lover. It’s strange to call a song named “Vomit” beautiful, as it sounds more like a punk rock anthem, but there’s no hardcore element behind the song.



There is a hardcore element behind “Die” though, one that I never expected. As soon as the song began, I had to question whether or not I was listening to the same album. Album opener “Honey Bunny” was a surf rock pop ditty with an infectious sunny chorus and “Alex” was a ‘90s'ish indie jam, but “Die” starts off like a thrash metal track and never lets up. The guitars squeal, and for much of the song, it seems if Owens wants to practice his jamming skills. Despite its conflicting nature from the rest of Holy Ghost, “Die” never feels out of place and showcases more of the band's interchangeable ability.

Lyrically, Owens really isn’t exploring new territory. The usual themes of relationships, broken hearts, and loneliness are present and probably wouldn’t work with a less talented band. Keeping the songs rooted mostly in ‘60s and ‘70s adds nostalgia behind the music and often brought memories of my childhood listening to the stations that my mom and dad had blasting in their cars. Many of the tracks run near the five minute mark; although, “Vomit”, “Just A Song”, and “Forgiveness” all go past six minutes. The band makes good use of the extra length, always building toward a rewarding climax. Once the album ended with the quiet stunner “Jamie Marie” and an organ that seemed to be dueling itself, I knew that I had heard one of my top ten albums of the year. No song really misses the mark of being something 'special'. I don't know how Girls will top Holy Ghost, but I'm excited to see if they can on their next album.

The 411: Father, Son, Holy Ghost is a true blessing, eleven solid songs that beg repeated listens. I kept myself from going into detail about all of the songs because I wanted to keep some of the surprises fresh for other listeners. Hopefully, this album will get the attention outside the indie community that it deserves. After you hear Father, Son, Holy Ghost, you may thank the heavens for one of the year’s best releases.

Final Score:  9.5   [  Amazing ]