Bouncing Souls – Ghosts on the Boardwalk

In 2009, The Bouncing Souls celebrated their 20 year anniversary as a band. To honor this celebration, they released singles throughout the year, and "Ghosts on the Boardwalk" is all 12 singles compiled into one album. The album, put out by their own label Chunksaah, opens up on a fast note ("Never Say Die/When You're Young) that takes you back to the "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" days, but with an emotional "The Gold Record" twist near the end of the track.

Staying faithful to the Soul's style, "Ghosts on the Boardwalk" is filled with songs that come straight from the heart. Some that specifically comes to mind are the songs, "Boogie Woogie Downtown", "I Think That the World", "Like the Sun", and "Airport Security", with their lyrics proving to be so soulful, it could be considered poetry. The album seems mainly composed of songs about dealing with life, like the sad, yet hopeful "Big Eyes", "Mental Bits", "Dub Says True", and the title track "Ghosts on the Boardwalk". Of course, the album contains joyful songs and catchy hooks, such as "We All Sing Along" (which personally seemed similar to their older song "Manthem") and tracks commenting on society ("Gasoline" and the fast and humorous "Badass"). The Bouncing Souls have come a long way since their first EP "Ugly Bill", and "Ghosts on the Boardwalk" is a perfect way to prove their growth, while remaining true to their main purpose as a band.

Band MySpace: www.myspace.com/bouncingsouls

 

 

-Sarah K.-
Music scene reporter
Big Wheel Online Magazine