Written by Dustin Sclafani
Ghost of Vroom is a journey that Mike Doughty continues to evolve through. For those of you who do not know Mike Doughty, first, that is unfortunate; but I can guarantee you have heard his music. Whether he had you “walking round in circles” or “moving upside” to “let the man go through,” you know Mike Doughty.
The former front man for the 90s band, Soul Coughing, has continued his career way past the expiration date of the band.
After putting many miles and question boxes as a solo artist, Doughty formed Ghost of Vroom with long-time collaborator, Andrew “Scrap” Livingston, and the pair really deliver.
Armed with Livingston’s cello, played like an upright bass, Doughty on a sampler, and Gene Coye on drums, this project is a slight step to the left of Doughty’s acoustic, heavy solo work. Relying on the philosophy of What Would No Body Else Do?, the trio teamed up with Check Your Head producer Mario Caldato, Jr. and Ghost Of Vroom 1 was born.
Part rave, part geek squad cipher, part moonlight sonnet, every track gives you something different and something special. Whether pulling from the blues/gospel standard call and response song, “John the Revelator” in “Revelator,” or delivering a modern revival track in “Miss You Like Crazy,” the record is a beautiful joyride in your stepfather’s caddy that you probably forgot to ask if you could borrow.
Livingston is the unsung hero of this record for sure, the work that he does throughout is absolutely brilliant, as he in my humble opinion, leaves many of these tracks with the musical equivalent of a Marvel mid-credit and post-credit cutscene. Seriously, listen to “Miss You Like Crazy” and tell me he doesn’t smoke the end.
Even through all the envelope-pushing and style-bending, Doughty is still able to bare is soul lyrically. Look, if you can’t related to “Beat Up Born Where I Come From” or “Bad Credit No Credit,” I don’t if we can be friends, and I am only partly teasing.
Doughty has this incredible ability to dance within the wordplay of hip-hop cramming line after line of stream of consciousness into any and every style he wants. Few artists have the intestinal fortitude to set out to make a record unlike anything else but Ghost of Vroom not only tried it, but they delivered.
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