TRACK A TIGER "We Moved Like Ghosts" (Deep Elm) Review by Corey Schmidt
By my count, Deep Elm Records is quietly having yet another good year. Whether releasing dizzying rock (CLAIR DE LUNE), underappreciated post-hardcore (SOUNDS LIKE VIOLENCE), or meditative indie rock (TRACK A TIGER), everything the indie label has touched has been solid. In the case of TRACK A TIGER, they play a sound that one could easily associate with Deep Elm, yet the music on We Moved Like Ghosts feels delightfully fresh. The Chicago-based band intricately weaves each of the ten songs on Ghosts, providing a sound that really does seem ghostly. While there are pleasant hooks scattered about (see "Not Far From This Anger" and "Don't Make A Weapon"), a majority of the album steadily creeps along with wistful guitar leads, easy-breezy rhythms, and occasional flares of out-of-the-ordinary instruments (timpani, ebow, banjo). Jim Vallet and Kristina Castaņeda add to the eclectic vibe as they utilize soft voices throughout Ghosts. While I do think that TRACK A TIGER's music will leave a bit to be desired in the long run, there's no doubting that their music works wonders when one is in a contemplative, dreamy mood. A great pick-up for Deep Elm.
