It’s hard not to take some sort of disturbing pleasure in listening to title track of The Ghost Who Walks. The combination of a delicately dark organ accompanying a sinister libretto about a spirit, recently done in by her lover, on the prowl, would be perfect for a film noir soundtrack.The Ghost Who Walks is the debut album of the model, musician and vintage boutique owner, Karen Elson. Originally from Greater Manchester, England, she currently resides – with husband Jack White - in Nashville, Tennessee. After such an introduction, one may fabricate a few (incorrect) conclusions surrounding this artist: First, several critics have credited Elson’s husband for her musical abilities; since the White Stripes front man is also the album’s producer and drummer. These melodic roots, however, date back several years before meeting said husband. Elson is one of the founding members of The Citizens Band, a dynamic cabaret group out of New York City. Second, people have been known to cringe at another “model turned…something that requires skill”. But why? The Ghost Who Walks provides audible proof that beauty and talent are not mutually exclusive.
Elson's sound brings together a brilliantly sewn quilt of cabaret, vintage, indie-country and folk songs. Her compositions range from the spooky and avant-garde, The Ghost Who Walks and The Truth Is In The Dirt, to the Nashville influenced Mouths To Feed, to the almost revue sounding 100 Years From Now. With the exception of Lunasa, written and composed by The Citizens Band member Rachelle Garniez, Elson also penned the lyrics to her compositions. Songs include themes of love, betrayal, jealousy, destitution and murder, all in a less personal, but more theatrical sense. This album is a promising one-of-a-kind, if an analogy could be would be a species of Neko Case meets female Nick Cave.
To listen to more Karen Elson:
http://www.karenelson.com/
http://www.myspace.com/karenelsonmusic
