Ghosts Of Modern Man – City Of No Light
(Smallman)

I was going to review this a while back ago but have had a hard time expressing what I think of Winnipeg’s Ghosts of Modern Man. Still do. But here goes.

I’d certainly expect you’d find this CD in your hardcore/punk section at the local record store, but I’d be hard pressed to call them a typical hardcore band, as there’s a lot more melody that you’d normally expect from this genre, and with a more accessible and unique vocalist than the endless slew of mediocre bands that keep coming out lately in this genre.

There are plenty of metal and rock influences in there, and I guess all in all they most remind me of a cross between At the Drive-In and Quicksand. Good bands to be compared to, but I can’t say songwise they currently live up to either. Still there’s a lot of potential in this band, with only one or two songs I’d classify as a real stinker. They have a somewhat fuzzy sound, interesting drums, and a slightly mid 90’s alternative feel to them that I like.

They do risk at being a band where everything sounds the same though. I’m not sure how much room they have to keep doing what they’re currently doing before people get bored. With a little more experimentation and growth as songwriters, and with some better production that puts the vocals higher up in the mix, we could have a winner. For now they’re better than bad, which is good enough. Of the number of recent Smallman releases, this is the one I’m most likely to listen to again. — Goon

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