Father, Son, Holy Ghost (studio album) by Girls

From HoldenM 09/05/2024 20:14

Hadn't listened to this in over a decade. Still goes. Tasteful, vibrant production. Lovely, soulful songwriting and performances. Was always gonna be tough to top.

This album really shocked me when I first heard it and I instantly loved it. The instrumentation is fantastic with the guitars being so diverse and unique on every track and they sometimes completely take control on some cuts. Also, the vocal performance is brilliant and full of emotion and power. It fits the atmosphere and the sound of the record perfectly and makes for a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Every song is great and they all fit together so well to create a cohesive and thrilling record. However, there are some parts of songs that do feel a bit short on substance and you can't help thinking they could be trimmed down. Overall, this album really flies under the radar and is an incredibly under rated record that you should definitely listen too as it is fantastic.

From Komorebi-D 03/22/2017 11:10

So definitive for them. There's so much to hear if you don't just dismiss as a heavy nostalgic.

From jwammo12 04/08/2016 13:52

Kinda sounds like Elliott Smith joined a late 60's band, helping alleviate his depression, if only slightly.

Love like a River is very similar to Don't Let Me Down by The Beatles don't you think?

From babyBlueSedan 12/10/2014 22:56

Like I said with Album, it's not bad but not in any way unique. Even the gospel vocals on Vomit make me want to go listen to Screamadelica. There's definitely good songwriting there, but it's hard for me to appreciate good songwriting that doesn't grab my attention.

A really nice mix of sugary love songs and tear-jerking epics on this album, which takes a while to warm up to but becomes virtually enticing by the fourth or fifth listen.
The album opener "Honey Bunny" is a fun rock song teeming with old-school guitar riffs and catchy hooks, which in essence instigates a cathartic feeling in the listener. It is by far one of my favourite tracks of the album and of 2011 in general (the same can be said for the second track "Alex").
Though both the latter and former envelop a sense of pure joy in emotional autonomy, the album does reach some heartbreaking lows as is noticeable in the near-six minute epic "Vomit" and "Forgiveness". None the less, these songs do work in Girls' favour, given as the mix of crystal-clear layering and production, as well as Christopher Owen's near-androgynous harmonic-vocals maintain the vital humanity in the music at hand.
However, not all songs work for me. Particularly "Just a Song" which seems to drag in to an endless loop of inane vocal droning in the final minutes, as is the case with "Die" which seems strangely out of place on such a serene and cordial record.
Still, it's a worthwhile album and by far one of my favourites of 2011.
Plus Christopher Owens' voice (and face (sic)) is so damn sexy it's practically a winner right from the first sentence of "Alex".
Never has heartache seemed so enticing.

Not too shabby of an album. "Vomit" is a lot of fun. Is it me or do these vocals sound like Elliott Smith made it back from the grave?

sem palavras... luxo

When this was released back in 2011 it was on repeat for several weeks on my stereo and Ipod. This may be the greatest pure rock album released in 10 years or so. This is so plain and pure as it gets. Draws on all big references from 60's and 70's rock music. A shame Girls broke up, because Christopher Owens solo album didn't peak the same heights as neither this album or their equally great EP.