Ghostwood@ Spectrum(06/02/2008)

Mon 11th Feb, 2008 in Gig Reviews

Just out of high school and already signed to Modular with an EP out and many enthusiastic fans, Sydney band Ghostwood made their return to the world of gigging after disappearing for a while – and what better way to do so than with a residency at Spectrum (6th, 13th and 20th February).

Support bands The Sacred Stereos and Bird Automatic warmed up the crowd (which was surprisingly large and excited, despite it being a Wednesday night and the weather threatening floods), the former with a sound reminiscent of a dirty Los Angeles beach in the 1970s and the latter with a beautiful Death Cab For Cutie demeanor that could cure broken hearts through mixtapes played in cars on cold suburban streets.

When Ghostwood hit the stage, it became apparent that their small break worked wonders. Whilst no one doubted they were a great band before, proving impressive talent at a young age, their February 6 show at Spectrum proved that something that was lacking in the picture before has now clicked into place. Every note played and word sung seems more believable, as though they’ve suddenly realised what the songs are about and feel them much more, giving their sound a new rawness and making Ghostwood almost more real.

When they’re not frantically playing tambourines and throwing guitars around, Ghostwood slip into a Joy Division inspired sound that leaves the audience in a trance, until James West, the drummer, shakes everyone back to earth with a sound almost too loud for the small space Spectrum offers, but which provides exactly the right push forward for the audience to remember that this is not a sad story from the bleak streets of Manchester, but one of a band whose talent is just being realised and has many years before them to grow and become even more impressive than they already are.