Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » SUSS: Ghost Box

2

SUSS: Ghost Box

By

Sign in to view read count
SUSS: Ghost Box
The members of the band SUSS describe the music on their album Ghost Box as "psychedelic ambient country instrumentals." Fair enough, but ambient music fans will certainly recognize the sound from the country-influenced tracks on ambient pioneer Brian Eno's Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks (E.G. Records, 1983)—featuring Daniel Lanois' pedal steel guitar playing—as well as Lanois albums like Belladonna (ANTI-, 2005). The goal was to create ambient music using mainly traditional instruments: guitar, mandolin, pedal steel guitar, keyboards and synthesizer (they did say "mainly.")

"Witchita" opens the album with a contemplative guitar theme before introducing atmospheric loops which seem to stop time—broken up by recurring mournful pedal steel guitar. "Late Night Call" begins with a gently pulsing loop. A haunting whistled tune (like the ones in composer Ennio Morricone's Western soundtracks) establishes the mood, joined by arpeggiated guitar chords and more pedal steel. "Big Sky" introduces another familiar ambient sound: the floating overdriven "skysaw" guitar of many Eno recordings. When a twangy electric guitar finally introduces the theme it's a quiet dramatic moment. "Gunfighter" adds a number of new sounds to the mix: distant voices, runaway echo effects, distorted harmonica, and a mournful Dobro. Closer "Canyonlands (Return to Wichita)" is a partial reprise of the opener, employing the same guitar theme and harmonies—a lovely way of bringing the program full circle.

At just over 35 minutes, Ghost Box is a bit short by current album standards. But it is a beautiful experience that feels complete: every "high lonesome" sound is perfectly placed.

Track Listing

Wichita; Late Night Call; Big Sky; Rain; Laredo; Gunfighter; Canyonlands (Return to Wichita).

Personnel

SUSS
multi-instrumentalist

SUSS is: Bob Holmes, Gary Leib, Pat Irwin, Jonathan Gregg and William Garrett.

Album information

Title: Ghost Box | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.