Sensor Ghost

Reviews

Sensor Ghost Irritation on Demand LP

Art-punk from DC that mixes angular post-punk rhythms with nasally vocals, like ERASE ERRATA meets THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS. Lyrics like “Back then we were the uncouth cream of the crop / Screaming on the stage / Boppin’ around like an unkept cadre of lollipops,” from “Lamentations of the Scene,” are bouncy and catchy, and notably less serious than what I usually associate with a Dischord release. The vocals ride a fine line between quirky and off-putting, but if you spend some time with the tracks, they start to make sense in their own weird little orbit. The LP was recorded with Ian MacKaye and Don Zientara at Inner Ear Studios, so you know it sounds incredible. Most striking is the feeling of genuine oddball fun SENSOR GHOST seems to be having. They are probably not a band for everyone, but the energy is contagious if you give it a chance.

Sensor Ghost 3 Songs EP

Oddball DC trio offering some sparse and angular art punk. 3 Songs showcases farty bass, simple drums, guitar riffs that go between flowing, lightly distorted leads and staccato jabs—the base ingredients for this type of arty sound, right? The thing setting SENSOR GHOST apart, for me, is the vocals. While playing bass, Mike Andre performs an almost spoken word performance, sneaking in a range of notes from syllable to syllable, creating a textured, spiky landscape that’s going to have the lights on your decibel sensor really dancing. Instruments and vocals pulse throughout the verses, very steadily landing on beat, while choruses get into a syncopated groove with a unique propulsion that I wasn’t expecting, especially apparent on “Crystal Spa.” After some listens, this really grew on me—I get shades of the most experimental DEVO tracks, with a folksy lyrical approach. Mike Andre and Amanda Huron (guitar) are also in PUFF PIECES, and Sam Lavine (drums) plays in LIGHT BEAMS.