Search - Mark Lanegan :: Whiskey for the Holy Ghost

One of the most underrated albums of the nineties

Robert Moore | Chicago, IL USA | 12/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"American musical tastes have always baffled me. Mediocrities extraordinaire like Britney Spears, Linkin Park, Mariah Carey, John Mayer, and Dave Matthews sell millions of records, while genuinely talented souls like Mark Lanegan remain unknown except to music connoisseurs. A few know him as the front man and resident genius of Screaming Trees, others as a solo artist, a few more as sometimes member of Queens of the New Age, and a few Isobel Campbell fans as the guy who helped make her latest album so stunningly special. But Mark Lanegan should someone anyone who is obsessed with great music should know well. I honestly believe that if you love great music, there are at least three albums featuring Mark Lanegan that fall into the category of "Must Own": his incredible solo album WHISKEY FOR THE HOLY GHOST, the superfine Screaming Trees anthology OCEAN OF CONFUSION, and his recent effort in support of Isobel Campbell on her amazing BALLAD OF THE BROKEN SEAS (most of the songs are by Campbell, but he contributes some great supporting vocals, especially a killer version of Hank Williams's "Ramblin' Man" and on the album's great closing song "The Circus is Leaving Town").



This was Lanegan's second solo album. The first one, THE WINDING SHEET, was one downer of an album. Bleak, deeply atmospheric, introspective, and seriously unfocused, it represented a significant break from his work with the Screaming Trees. Whatever fans of that band were looking for in a Mark Lanegan solo project, that was definitely not it. WHISKEY FOR THE HOLY GHOST is not completely dissimilar from THE WINDING SHEET, but it is better conceived, the songwriting is infinitely sharper, and the melancholy is redeemed by one exquisitely melodic song after another. To this day, Lanegan has not been involved on an album--not with Screaming Trees or anyone else--that was so superb from first cut to the last.



One thing that really comes out on this album is what a low, deep voice Lanegan has. In the Screaming Trees, it is clear he pushes his voice up to its highest possible range, but here he allows it to fall into its natural, low range. Most rock bands force the singers to be high tenors, even a natural baritone like Lanegan. But as a tenor myself, I have to admit that baritones can project a world weariness and ennui that no tenor can intimate. His voice here is perfect for the regret, sadness, and angst he wants to project.



What is most amazing about this album is how great the songs are from first to last. Lanegan's songwriting with the Screaming Trees was never this consistent (one reason why the best way to get to know their music is from the generous anthology OCEAN OF CONFUSION). He would pen several gems that would sandwich some astonishingly bland cuts. No filler here, however. The contrast here is between some astonishingly great songs and songs that are at worst at least interesting (e.g., "Ride the Nightingale"). My favorite cut is probably "El Sol," filled with wonderful musical moments and a casually wonderful vocal. "Carnival" (which I keep thinking should be entitled "Freak Show") is very nearly as good, while "The River Rise," which kicks the album off, is on their par. But there are 3 or 4 other cuts very nearly as strong as these.



So, please do your part to fight the flood of mediocrity that the music industry tries to drown us with. We don't have to accept all the garbage that they tell us we ought to like! We can support great music like this instead! Do your part. If you don't already have this great album, get it. Tell your friends about it. Give it as a gift to friends. Heck, give it to enemies to placate them! Let's just not let this album remain as unknown as it currently is."

Excellent

Elias Rentzeperis | Athens, Greece | 01/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I thought smoking would hurt my singing voice. After listening to Mark Lanegan I smoke unfiltered."

You can't knock someone down for expanding their horizons

J. Chadwick | 09/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mark Lanegan- The man has NO LIMITS. He doesn't limit himself to one sound, or emotion. He was good with the Screaming Trees and he is just fine on his own. Many find it hard to accept his outward approach with his musical talent but his music is mostly about the words, the instruments only help to communicate that. His voice and lyrics are the whole reason the man makes his money. Believe me I love the Screaming Trees, I always hope that they will surprise us all and get back together and show everyone that they were overlooked in their time by everyone who listened only to what the charts deemed popular.

Anyways, Whiskey For The Holy Ghost is by far one of the greatest albums I have ever heard. By Anyone. This album engulfs everything and anyone that hears it. I have turned many people into Lanegan fans, thanks to this wonderful and spiritually driving album. This man knows what he is doing. I strongly recommend this album. This is a Fall into Winter sort of album. It will send chills through your body and change your heart with its power. *****"