Review: Ghost Hounds 'Almost Home'

Review: Ghost Hounds ‘Almost Home’

By Martine Ehrenclou

Replacing a lead singer can derail a band or lead it to greatness. Thankfully for the critically acclaimed Ghost Hounds, their new lead singer SAVNT was born for centerstage with his powerful voice and enough soulfulness to hush a full house. The band also added a new drummer Sydney Driver with innate rhythm and a true connection to the group. Once billed as blues-rock, Ghost Hounds are now described as country rock with a blues influence. This band might be revising their sound, but at its heart is sold gold songwriting.

Out March 21st via Gibson Records, Ghost Hounds are set to release ‘Almost Home’, their fifth record, featuring guests Patty Griffin and Lainey Wilson. Their prior releases led them to tour with the Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, Garth Brooks, and Guns N’ Roses.

Ghost Hounds are fronted by lead singer SAVNT and backed by guitarist and main lyricist Thomas Tull, guitarist Tyler Chiarelli, fiddler Kristin Weber, bassist Bennett Miller, drummer Sydney Driver and keyboardist Joe Munroe.

Ghost Hounds fire up ‘Almost Home’ with their opening rock & roll number “She Runs Hot”. SAVNT handles this tasty number with finesse and a voice you won’t soon forget. The band scorches, and you’ll envision them on stage opening for The Stones. A great opening track.

The Ghost Hounds’ horsepower continues with country rocker “Long Way Around.” SAVNT’s voice is rich and bassy and his phrasing is so spot on for a country song, that you’d be hard pressed to believe that he came from a Neo-Soul band. Guitar driven with tasty riffs, the song follows Country music staples–major chords and memorable choruses. The lyrics are well crafted–“You’re going to get lost before you get found, but I betcha gonna make it someway somehow.” It’s a big song, one that could flood stadiums. “You got to learn to let your heart make up your mind.”

“You’ll Never Find Me” is a hit, a definite standout on the record. Opening with bluesy slide guitar and piano, SAVNT sings with soulfulness that cuts to the bone. With beautiful melody and interesting chord changes, this song takes its time growing into a rocking anthem. But anthem it is. Brilliant. As a unit, the band cooks, skillfully breathing life into well written lyrics and music. SAVNT approaches this song with heartbreak and bitterness in his vocal, haunting and triumphant at the same time. The backing vocals add to the richness of this song, as does the tasteful guitar solo. When it breaks into a groove-heavy, full-on rocker, you’ll have to catch your breath when it’s over.

A Stones-esque rock and roller, “Broken Roses” kicks with Chuck Berry riffs in the bridge. It’s a solid rocker with backing singers, and percussive strumming on guitar.

An unexpected violin solo breaks up the album, lasting just over a minute. Stunning fiddler Weber sets the stage for what’s to come. The last four tunes are pure country. Each track is well written and emotionally driven. Grammy winning country vocalist Lainey Wilson trades verses with SAVNT on “Before You Leave” over piano, violin and a steady rhythm section. Two powerhouse vocalists weave a tale of heartbreak and acceptance about an impending separation.

The album closes with a Patty Griffin cover “Long Ride Home,” a rolling number with acoustic guitar and fiddle. Griffin sings with SAVNT, both with impressive vocals, conveying how hard it is to let go of a loved one and the home they created.

Even if somewhat uneven, ‘Almost Home’ by the Ghost Hounds offers grit and talent in a solid if not great album.

Watch “You’ll Never Find Me”