Review: Ghostfeeder – 'World Fameless'

GHOSTFEEDER
'World Fameless'
DISTORTION PRODUCTIONS

Marking the label and full-length début of Ghostfeeder is 'World Fameless' released on Distortion Productions. After three self-released EPs and a further label EP on Beyond Therapy Records, Derek Walborn's project Ghostfeeder takes its blend of dance synths, 8-bit garnishes, and rock guitars through eight tracks of catchy and sing-a-long friendly synthrock that recalls the likes of NIN, Peter Gabriel, IAMX, Nintendo, Sneaker Pimps, The Birthday Massacre, and Mindless Self Indulgence.

Kicking things off with the title track the album quickly establishes it's sonic formula of old-school sounding dance synths, hard guitars, well-timed chiptune textures and big catchy vocal melodies which is reflected in songs such as Juliet, Sucker For The Chemistry, Let The Wolves Inside, and The Vampire Youth, in particular. It is a great pop album – vocally making use of pop-punk style hooks over its retro-chic synths and holding the guitars back for extra muscle – but it could be so much more.

There is room for Walbor to really push the boundaries of his sound and take risks with instrumentals, or less linear song-writing to add a bit more depth to the album without effecting its commercial appeal. Instead we have a singular vision with a definitive destination in mind, but no interesting detours.

For fans of Mindless Self Indulgence and The Birthday Massacre in particular this will be a very easy album to get into. It's quirky, fun and very pop without being mainstream. 'World Fameless' is a strong album. The song-writing is great, the production is top-shelf and the songs are ridiculously infectious with their dance-friendly construction and sing-a-long vocals. However it feels as though something is being held back, like Walborn has more up his sleeve but has decided to save it for something else. 

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