Mark Gardener - These Beautiful Ghosts

Mark Gardener's These Beautiful Ghosts is a study in contrasts. With backing band Goldrush, the album is at once beautiful and tense, soothing and moody. It's an album that gets inside the listener's head and stays there. Starting strong with "Snow in Mexico" and "Getting Out of Your Own Way," Gardener's pop sensibilities are married with complex arrangements, creating a surprising sound that isn't as accessible as it is on first impression. His shoegazing past is apparent, but he moves into a more modern era with gentle electronic accompaniments on songs like "Beautiful Ghosts" and "The Story of the Eye." The even tone of the album does set a mood (mostly, a down, depressing one). This is music made to listen to through headphones in the dark. It's lovely if that's what you're after, but one does have to be in that particular mood to enjoy lines like "Endless driving through unfamiliar air/ empty faces stare/ nobody listens/ caught in conditions/ where nobody cares" from "Rhapsody." It's not self-pitying, but the darkness can get to be a bit much. Still, it's hard to argue with the knowing introspection of "Water and Wine." Gardener shines in singer-songwriter mode. His voice has a friendly, open quality, and Goldrush gives him a good balance. The songs may be less than happy, but thoughtfulness of both the words and music keep it from dragging. Gardener has crafted an album that feels complete and intelligent. You'll want to keep the headphones on all day for this one. [www.markgardener.com]