Hospital Ships: Lonely Twin (Graveface) 2011
Lawrence, Kansas-based Hospital Ships have set sail with a stellar new album. The band's second release, Lonely Twin (Graveface), finds Jordan Geiger exploring places he may never have been (and never thought he'd go). With this meloncholy and whispy release, Geiger sounds like a seasoned veteran, yet there is a freshness and beauty to most every song. Born and raised in the mid-Missouri river town of Boonville, Missouri, Geiger is a small town boy with indie rock aspirations.
Opening track "Love Or Death" is a psychedelic trip back to 1967 Beatles and sounds like an outtake from Sgt. Peppers. "Galaxies" offers up just enough sadness to make you take notice. The cello and keys add emotion to Geiger's excellent lyrical style on this wonderful song. His voice brings visions of Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie), and that's a good thing. It's not a difficult task to join Geiger in this "mood."
With "Carry On," the band emotes a near country feel, singing, "We will laugh til we cry and we'll drink til we're drunk." On "Anyone, Everyone," Geiger asks "Do you love, do you love anyone?" The songs evolves into a feedback jam before echoing out.
Fans of The Flaming Lips, Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes should dig the hell out of Lonely Twin. To call the Hospital Ships' sound chilled-out pop is not really a fair statement. In fact, Geiger has created a sound and a feeling of sonic ecstasy that pulls you in and keeps you warm for forty minutes.
For most of the album, the pace is consistent and measured. Then there's "Reprise," clocking in at just over two minutes. With it's high energy, fuzzed out guitar and punk-like repetetive lyrics, it will more than likely get your foot to tapping. Fast.
Jordan Geiger and the band have evolved since the first release Oh, Ramona from 2008. The band has reached a level of maturity that usually comes several albums into a musical career. Maybe he's gained that maturity from his lengthy resume of bands, inlcluding Minus Story, Shearwater, and The Appleseed Cast. He recently recorded a session for National Public Radio’s Tiny Desk Concert series which is set to air soon.
Hospital Ships are preparing to tour with fellow Lawrence band The Appleseed Cast. Catch them in a city near you:
July 29th: Austin TX @ Waterloo Records (instore)
July 29th: Austin TX @ Mohawk Inside w/Paper Hotel + White Hotel
With The Appleseed Cast:
Aug 18 - Norman, OK @ Opolis
Aug 19 - Dallas, TX @ The Loft
Aug 20 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk
Aug 21 - Houston, TX @ Fitz
Aug 22 - New Orleans, LA @ Republik
Aug 24 - Orlando, FL @ Social
Aug 25 - Miami, FL @ Boiler Room
Aug 26 - Tamoa, FL @ State Theater
Aug 27 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
Aug 28 - Asheville, NC @ Grey Goose
Aug 29 - Nashville, TN @ End
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