Deadman,
Our Eternal Ghosts



Label: One Little Indian Records

(4 out of 5)

Just three months after releasing the EP In the Heart of Mankind, Deadman returns with the full-length Our Eternal Ghosts—a hauntingly beautiful meditation on the human condition.

In Deadman's world, we are seduced by glittering mirages ("Won't Be Long"), drowning our sorrows in the escapism of alcohol ("Brother John"), emerging from generations of genocide ("Sad Ole' Geronimo") and racism ("Absalom! Absalom!").

Yet despite our failings love retains its redemptive power, as expressed in the gorgeous "Slow Dance" and the Ray Charles tribute "Love Will Guide You Home."

Love indeed conquers all—and not just romantic love, but humanistic love as well.

Deadman's husband-and-wife team of Steven and Sherilyn Collins challenges us to improve ourselves, our society:

If we stand on a hill and do not touch,
How can we do good?
If we wash our hands of all our friends,
What change can really come?
If we hide our fears and don't draw near,
Have we really lived?
("When the Music's Not Forgotten")

With Our Eternal Ghosts, the Collinses deliver a fully-realized artistic statement on the modern era. The outlook is depressing, but generally reversible: Hey there brother, it's gonna be alright ("Brother").

In the Heart of Mankind was good. Our Eternal Ghosts, with its earthy blend of gospel electronica and a keen social consciousness, is very good. Very good indeed.

August 08, 2005