13ghosts are an eclectic band from Birmingham, Alabama that touch on numerous different styles. With two diverse singers and the band’s penchant to genre jump, The Strangest Colored Lights is tough to grasp without numerous listens. Touching on southern rock, country, americana, pop and everything in between, the band carves out a unique niche for themselves. The Strangest Colored Lights is a dark journey through themes as old as the deep south itself. Death constantly soaks into the album’s soul and adds a somber depth to the band’s ambitious songwriting. As it slowly twists and turns, the subtle beauty of the album recalls Mark Linkous and his work in Sparklehorse.
The band is nothing, if not diverse. “Beyond The Door” is more upbeat and has an almost power pop feel to it akin to The Posies. “Riverside” follows with a parade of horns the likes only seen on Calexico records. “Whip Poor Will” sounds like a jaunty Tom Waits-inspired number. No matter what spirits 13ghosts call upon on The Strangest Colored Lights, the band shows a remarkable range and a masterful finishing touch.
Genre: Indie/Americana
RIYL: Sparklehorse, Calexico, Tom Waits
Label: Skybucket
Riverside
Whip Poor Will
