Carlton Heston – Gods of the Dead
Carlton Heston is a creep/freak-folk rock artist from Atlanta, Georgia. His debut, Gods of the Dead, is a wonderful assortment of neo-psychedelia, psychedelic folk and slight industrial overtones. The artist makes a comment through all his future albums to listen to his debut before anything, and for good reason; it’s the best of his works.
Siren Of The French Broad is phenomenal, even if janky. The engrossing soundscape is as inviting as it is expansive. Spookies is just as good, with its multi-layered vocals and drudging post-punk ambience. The Joy Division influences are most evident on You Can Always Tell a Haylow Girl, which thankfully differentiates itself from similar acts by incorporating more nylon strings. It’s outro is impressive. The Maelstrom delves further into the delirium, before it peaks with 20 years Ago In Shitsville (A House, Old, With a Shining Pole Running Down the Absolute Center Spinning Downwards Through Uncountable Floors). Both tracks shine thanks to their marvellous mood and increasingly fascinating composition. Only the closer is dispensable, though mostly due to its disappointing length, a fitting finale, nevertheless.
The album’s main flaw is its production. The overall mix is flat, and noticeably amateur. Thankfully it never gets in the way of the enjoyment, but it stops the album from reaching higher heights. Secondly, it’s got its own unique personality, but can’t help sound too close to similar 80’s pop-punk. A more modern approach in the drum department would have gone a long way in setting the compositions apart from similar acts. Nonetheless, a fine record.
Really Good
Listen to it here:
Carlton Heston – Gods of the Dead
