Jukebox The Ghost’s “Let Live And Let Ghosts”: A Review

Piano Rock can have its different types and flavors within it, with different influences. Classical piano. Piano pop. Jam band piano? Punk rock piano?

Jukebox the Ghost garners many comparisons (e.g., Ben Folds Five, They Might Be Giants, Something Corporate, etc.). However, it’s not quite certain if these comparisons offer a fair assessment of what you’re going to get when you actually open Let Live and Let Ghosts, the first full-length release from this DC-born trio (the band formed within the dorms of George Washington University). Yes, they’re gaining popularity, but if you’re not familiar with them, it might be hard to fully grasp what you’re going to taste the first go ’round. A self-proclaimed “music love child of Beethoven, Phish and NOFX” might be a good place to start. As far as flavors go, that’s one fun carton of Neapolitan indie pop you’re about to enjoy.

And fun may just be the most accurate way to describe it all. In fact, I don’t think I’ve had something as fun as this on my Ipod since The Format’s last release. Piano-man Ben Thornewell clearly has the Beethoven slice of that pie covered. It’s apparent how his classical training has seeped its way into their music, most easily heard on songs like “Static to the Heart” and “Victoria”. Splitting vocal duties with Ben straight down the middle is guitarist Tommy Seigel, who, at times, if blindfolded, you might mistake for Lazlo Bane frontman, Chad Fisher (known most notably for the “Scrubs” opening theme.) Rounding out the trio is drummer Jesse Kristen, who, without a bass player, exceptionally holds down this fort. His often brightly recorded kit gives everything another push towards that “fun” factor.

The opening track, “Good Day” paints an ironic picture of what is to come for the rest of the album. It quite literally foreshadows a slew of beats and hooks more infectious than measles and mumps. It’s ironic how the subject matter swings from the blissful to the apocalyptic. In fact, there seems to be about a quarter of the album dedicated to the end of days, yet somehow they make it work. It’s all played out in a way that you might actually think “Yeah it’s scary, but maybe not that bad?”. “It’s the end of the world/ la da di da da da da da” Seigel croons on “Where Are All The Scientists Now?” (part of the 3 song movement that closes the album.) And all you wanna do is sing along. Not since R.E.M. has the Apocalypse been so much fun.

After sharing stages with the likes of acts such as Ra Ra Riot, Say Hi, and Travis Morrison, Jukebox the Ghost is now touring the US with Ben Folds until early April. Then after a few weeks around the UK, they’re back in the States and playing the Rock and Roll Hotel on May 23. What will the future bring for the trio with varying musical tastes and talents? Time will only tell (rumor is a new album before 2009 ends). Here’s to hoping Tchaikovsky, The Grateful Dead, and Bad Religion successfully get it on…

Other “Let Live and Let Ghosts” Standouts:

• “Hold It In”
• “Under My Skin”
• “Static to the Heart”