Ligeia- Your Ghost Is A Gift (5/10)

Ferret Records

Tracklisting:
1. Beyond A Doubt
2. I'm Sorry You're Ugly
3. Heart Attack
4. Judas Complex
5. The Blackout
6. Household Stereotypes
7. Makin' Love To A Murderer
8. Swollen Eye View
9. Always, Forever
10.Dead Man's Bride
11.Wishing Wells

Ligeia comes out swinging on this semi-heavy, slightly comical metalcore/hardcore record. I'm kind of on the fence thus far. My impression of this band always seems to change, I guess. I hear people say they suck, that theyre just some bro-core dudes doing what's already been done, but then at the same time every song I had always listened to in the past would have these really odd Incubus-esque choruses... and bottom line, I will say that this band is hard to describe.

Picture hatebreed meets [insert any metalcore outfit these days here] meets, I don't know, the Backstreet Boys. Basically, it's lots of stuff that's already been done before, with just enough done differently to sell some records. Sorry to be harsh, but that's the impression I get. The record starts with a good punk beat and some beatdown riffs, some lyrics about punching someone out, and then a relatively weak but well placed breakdown. And you pretty much have a good picture of the whole record, with one exception. Every so often they have these just random singing parts with totally clean, pretty vocals. And I mean, I guess do what you want, but it's not good. It's just not.

I can't say enough that this band is really, really not covering new ground. The worst thing about listening to a band that can't decide if its metalcore, deathcore, grind, beatdown, or Underoath is that each of those is fundamentally one of the most copied genres in music today. COME UP WITH SOMETHING NEW! You'd think that musicians, as artists, would enjoy breaking new ground, but when was the last time any of us saw that happen?

Production wise, there's nothing to complain about too heavily. The guitars are nice and present, although a little raw. The drum recording is punchy but authentic- definitely no triggers used here. And the vocals are recorded the same. Basically, I guess what I'm getting at is the whole theme of the production seems to be recorded well but not overdone. I can dig that.

Overall, not a necessarily bad record, but nothing special and I can't get into it. Lyrically, it's retarded. Musically, eh... not bad. Keep working guys, maybe you can develop this little nich of yours into something nice, but I can't say enough, try something new. Please.