Feel Good Ghosts

Posted by Dustin

April 15, 2008

I first saw Cloud Cult play live in 2005, June 24 to be exact, on their tour promoting their album Advice From the Happy Hippopotamus. It was at a (now defunct) venue I used to be house manager for in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. At the time I wasn’t really familiar with the band and didn’t really pay much attention while they were playing though I wish I had. I am sure I was just eager to be done with another late night waiting for the venue to clear out so I could go home to my wife. That said, I didn’t really get that in to Cloud Cult until 2007 when they released The Meaning of 8.

The last couple months I’ve really been listening to The Meaning of 8 a ton and was pleasantly surprised with the news of a new release yesterday morning while reading the KEXP blog. It’s called Fell Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes). So I bought the album online and have probably listened to it 10 times through since then. It does not disappoint. I was hoping to grab a blurb from the Pitchfork review but, unlike Cloud Cult, they continue to disappoint. So, here’s a blurb from some guy with the username oldrocknroller on Amazon:

While about two-thirds the length of the lengthy “8,” FEEL GOOD GHOSTS is nonetheless packed with outstanding music, another stunning achievement from this unique band. Like “8,” “GHOSTS” is a philosophical and very personal (sometimes biographical) look at the world and our place in it from the keen eyes and very creative mind of band leader, Craig Minowa. The eye-catching pictures on the album jacket hint at the gold inside, and from the incredible opener, “No One Said It Would Be Easy” to the anthem-like closer, “Love You All,” the music is spellbinding in its distinctive Cloud Cult manner. As was the case with “8,” FEEL GOOD GHOSTS is best listened to in one sitting from beginning to end to fully appreciate its thematic underpinnings and musical flows and surprises.

Here’s a video for When Water Comes to Life. It’s unofficial so I’m guessing that means it was created by a fan though it is still good.

Check out a few song on their MySpace page or pick up the entire album form the bands web site for only $10.

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