I recently discovered a two piece indie rock band, Dead Man’s Bones. Their self titled album is unlike anything I’ve heard before. Band members, Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields, share a mutual fascination with the supernatural and decided to write love songs about ghosts, monsters, and zombies, giving us a unique Halloween themed record, Dead Man’s Bones, which was released in 2009.
One unique aspect of Dead Man’s Bones is that the entire record is a collaboration with the Silverlake Conservatory Children’s Choir. Another factor to consider is, Gosling and Shields didn’t want to have many takes on a song in recording the album because they believed the imperfections would highlight the anchor of their music. They also played all the instruments used in the record, including ones on which they had never even previously laid hands.
Each track off Dead Man’s Bones is very different from one another. The record starts off with the track, “Dead Hearts”, which is very slow, and the following track, “In the Room Where You Sleep”, is very upbeat with a strong rhythm. Next, “Pa Pa Power” gives off a laid back vibe while “Buried in Water” exudes an eerie feel. “Young & Tragic” is a short song that doesn’t have many lyrics however, concentrates on the instruments and beat. For the most part, each track emits a different mood.
Dead Man’s Bones is an album replete with songs that you wouldn’t normally hear on the radio. When I first listened to this record, I believed that this was the weirdest record I’d ever heard. After I researched about Dead Man’s Bones and discovered that their goal was to create music that revolved around love and monsters, I went back and listened to the record again. Then, I realized that even though Dead Man’s Bones is a bit odd, it is an excellent record because Gosling and Shields didn’t create generic music; they created an eerie record about monsters in love. Not only do I appreciate how that they valued the impurities of the songs while recording, but I also am inspired by how they took generic topics and combined them with the supernatural while featuring a children’s choir, to create music I’ve never heard before.
Even though I generally enjoy the record, however, I am only really fond of a few songs. I favor “My Body’s a Zombie For You”, because of the rhythm and how the children’s choir is incorporated. I also like “Paper Ships” because of it’s catchy beat and fun vibe. “Lose Your Soul” is another track I like because of it’s captivating, fun beat. Although I’m not the record's biggest fan, I still believe Dead Man’s Bones is worth a listen.
Allyson Chavez
One unique aspect of Dead Man’s Bones is that the entire record is a collaboration with the Silverlake Conservatory Children’s Choir. Another factor to consider is, Gosling and Shields didn’t want to have many takes on a song in recording the album because they believed the imperfections would highlight the anchor of their music. They also played all the instruments used in the record, including ones on which they had never even previously laid hands.
Each track off Dead Man’s Bones is very different from one another. The record starts off with the track, “Dead Hearts”, which is very slow, and the following track, “In the Room Where You Sleep”, is very upbeat with a strong rhythm. Next, “Pa Pa Power” gives off a laid back vibe while “Buried in Water” exudes an eerie feel. “Young & Tragic” is a short song that doesn’t have many lyrics however, concentrates on the instruments and beat. For the most part, each track emits a different mood.
Dead Man’s Bones is an album replete with songs that you wouldn’t normally hear on the radio. When I first listened to this record, I believed that this was the weirdest record I’d ever heard. After I researched about Dead Man’s Bones and discovered that their goal was to create music that revolved around love and monsters, I went back and listened to the record again. Then, I realized that even though Dead Man’s Bones is a bit odd, it is an excellent record because Gosling and Shields didn’t create generic music; they created an eerie record about monsters in love. Not only do I appreciate how that they valued the impurities of the songs while recording, but I also am inspired by how they took generic topics and combined them with the supernatural while featuring a children’s choir, to create music I’ve never heard before.
Even though I generally enjoy the record, however, I am only really fond of a few songs. I favor “My Body’s a Zombie For You”, because of the rhythm and how the children’s choir is incorporated. I also like “Paper Ships” because of it’s catchy beat and fun vibe. “Lose Your Soul” is another track I like because of it’s captivating, fun beat. Although I’m not the record's biggest fan, I still believe Dead Man’s Bones is worth a listen.
Allyson Chavez
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