The Midnight Ghost Train “Cypress Ave.” album cover
It’s common knowledge that the whole world over, all the best rock n roll clubs smell like sweat, stale beer & spilled tequila and most importantly excitement. Well the best records try to capture and bottle this “perfume” and The Midnight Ghost Train have managed to achieve this elusive feat on their new album Cypress Ave. released by Napalm Records.
Although impeccably produced the record still manages to capture the excitement of the bands legendary live concert experience. Opening track “Tonight” begins serenely with some tasty arpeggiated guitar. A driving backbeat kicks in and lead singer/guitarist Steve Moss’ gruff vocal takes front and center as he in turns sounds pleading and then almost sinister. Often times all within the same sentence.
The Midnight Ghost Train; press photo
“We’re treading thin ice here/In a suspicious world/I just can’t blame all this on you/Hands in circles when we pray/And I don’t like you anyway/Tonight Tonight Tonight Tonight/Gonna leave myself again for you”
Is this for a lover he can’t possess but returns to again and yet again? Or is it some other addiction that is claiming him? It doesn’t really matter because the song drips passion and raw emotion, and passion and raw emotion are something The Midnight Ghost Train has in spades. These guys are not afraid to lay it on the line, heart on their sleeve and maybe spill a little blood if need be, all in service to making a great record.
The Midnight Ghost Train; press photo
The Midnight Ghost Train excel at writing songs for those on the fringes of society, for those blissfully unaware that they are lost and for those who know they are lost and have embraced it and wear it like a badge. One such tale is “Red Eyed Junkie Queen” that spins the tale of one of these characters in the Midnight Ghost Train universe of outsiders.
“You’re sellin your body because you wanna be naughty/And you just don’t give a damn/You freeze up your soul/With all the blow up your nose/They coulda served you on ice/You swallow your pride/When you crawl up inside/Another stranger’s bed/But the touch of your skin/Explains the hole that you’re in/Alluring scent on your back/And are you satisfied/Cause they pay to see you cry/And the pulsing of your scream/Red Eyed Junkie Queen”
The Midnight Ghost Train; press photo
This is some heavy stuff, right? But please don’t get me wrong, this song is not a downer nor is this album, not at all. It rocks, and it rocks hard! And very much like Lou Reed was able to tell tales of the misfits that society has castoff and to give them a certain nobility, so is Steve Moss able to do that here with his tales from the dark side of the street. He’s not above them he’s down in the shit with them. This is a guy who’s gotten his hands dirty and it shows in the honesty of his lyrics.
The Midnight Ghost Train is pulling out of the station, a black cloud and fire pouring from the smokestack. Buy your ticket and get on board. It’s a scary ride because it’s an honest ride and one well worth taking.