Empire of Ghosts - The Disenchanted Land CD Reviews

 

Madeline Laguaite's Review from Athens, Georgia in The Red & Black Magazine - Click Here!

 

 

"John and Marianne have woven an eclectic mix of folk and rock that is pleasing to the ears. Marianne’s voice recalls that of Marianne Faithful, and John shows off his musical skills performing all the instrumentation. The album weaves a garment that ranges from emotional to uplifting. " - Maigin Blank, Lead Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist of Chicago-based Whales

 

 

"This is music that will take you new places. Continuously surprising, layered and moving. Deeply poetic lyrics and complex instrumentation, in turns both joyous and darkly searching. Using blues, jazz, rock, country and folk styles, John Marc & Marianne defy genre or comparison to other artists. Totally original and honest." - Anne Adams

 

 

"Empire of Ghosts creates an engaging landscape on "The Disenchanted Land", at once completely familiar and uniquely their own. There's a clever and spatial mix of musical wisdoms here, ranging from the folk finesse and funky syncopation of "Narrow Journey" to the mystery and tension of "Forewarning", to the multi-instrumental depth of "Herculaneum". Thematically, John Marc and Marianne have drawn on a lifetime spent crafting great song to take us on a very human journey through joy and melancholy, hope and doubt and triumph, where each song represents a profound destination in its own right. As the outro of Majestic Recluse proclaims, "Acres of flowers bloom!" -Mark Fuery, Mindscar

 

 

"Thinking about giving Empire of Ghosts’ new CD a listen? Here’s what you need to know: it’s not the kind of album to pop in when you’re heading out on a road trip. It’s not going to motivate you for your daily run or that house cleaning session you’ve been putting off.

 

No sir. The Disenchanted Land is for the kind of evening when you can really listen to what’s going on. In fact, you might want to put aside whatever you had planned for tonight. Shake off the day’s events like so many annoying raindrops, light a few candles, pour a glass of your favorite liquid poison and settle back on your most comfy sofa.

 

Here comes a musical answer to that niggling question in the back of your mind. You know the one. It goes something like “Is anyone else noticing how crazy this life is?!?!?” Empire of Ghosts offers up gentle music, mixing the styles, instruments, and rhythms from folk, jazz, classical, world beat and a host of other traditions.

 

The timbre and tone of Marianne’s voice will have you feeling like you’re at some dreamscape music festival. But just as your mind wanders off to follow the intricacies of the guitar work, the lyrics will stand right up and punch you in the arm. “Hey! Pay attention! I’m talkin’ about something here!”

 

Like many of my favorite albums, I’m not quite sure how I feel about The Disenchanted Land. I have to listen to it a few more times. Get to know it a bit. And that’s perfectly alright with me." - Suzie Briddsang