Love Ghost – I’ll be “fine”

Love Ghost is a restless, prickly group, bouncing between different ideas at such a rate that the experience of listening to them is as much an uncontrollable adrenaline rush as it is anything else. The high octane thrill of their records is not just riveting; it alludes to unrestrained greatness. The group’s alternative rock sound, is a peculiar beast: overwhelmingly extravagant, relentlessly exciting, and outright entertaining. In fact, that’s what makes Love Ghost so brutally good; the sounds they achieve are so sublimely made and fit so well with their songs’ lyrical content. The band’s greatness also lies in their abilities to provide the creative elements and euphoric vocal stylings that are perfectly combined with the hard-as-nails rhythm section, adding that essential crunch that completes the Love Ghost formula.

The award-winning band, consisting of Finnegan Bell (guitar and lead vocals), Ryan Stevens (bass and background vocals), Samson Young (drums and background vocals), Daniel Alcala (guitar) and Cory Batchler (keyboards), are currently working on a new album with legendary producer Danny Saber (The Rolling Stones, U2, David Bowie, Marilyn Manson, etc.).

In the meantime, they have dropped a brand new single, entitled I’ll be “fine”. Once again Love Ghost have their sights set on breaking the mold and shattering expectations. They do exactly that with this brooding masterpiece.

“These doubts I’m facing, my mess I’m embracing, my heart is racing mind’s debasing (Yeah, No, Yeah, No). Yeah, I’ll be “fine” (I’m so alone) Yeah, I’ll be “fine” (I’ve turned to stone) Yeah, I’ll be fine (Feel disowned) Yeah, I’ll be “fine”, sings Finnegan Bell, instantly setting the tone, and mood of this slow-burner. The façade is up, but the pain inside remains.

The song is colossally hard-hitting with an unmatched moody, concussive force to it. Such poetic lyrics delivered by an afflicted voice, all but succumbs to the moment of darkness of humanity. Although the single is spanking new, it already sounds like an irreplaceable touchstone in Love Ghost’s catalog.

From a technical aspect, most of the guitar work is beautifully straightforward and layered, from the riffs to the acoustic chords, the groovy power-strums to the filthy-ass harmonics. They are so ingeniously straightforward, in fact, that peers may ruffle their hair in frustration wondering why they didn’t think of such impacting chord progressions first. The combo of emotional downbeat choruses and rock interludes are a signature sound that warrants a closer listen.

Love Ghost’s songwriting touches on the best nuances of their genre, and reproduces them with an emotional clarity all of their own. The band continues to be a force to be reckoned with, which they impressively demonstrate on their latest release.

The track is also a great showcase of another of the Love Ghost’s qualities. The vocals are simply phenomenal, without ever being over-dramatic or overwhelming. Finnegan Bell delivers an extremely nuanced performance.

I’ll be “fine” balances heavy rock sounds with textured acoustic elements, while the song builds tension through the verses and choruses with its layered guitars of differing sonic distances. And like all the greatest works of art, it’s the cathartic result of a need to release inner turmoil that transforms into something beautiful.