ALBUM REVIEW: Headed West

Ghosts of Sunset put their uplifting EP ‘Headed West’ out in 2018. The album is a melting pot of stoner, hair metal, and alternative sounds. It also holds a mass measure of guitars and amps, refining the quality. The entire project was created when John (guitarist/singer/songwriter) had the desire to create a track “loosely based” on 80’s hair metal. He and his bandmate of over 30+ years took the vague idea and produced a heal-stomping and engaging EP. Todd (singer/songwriter/drummer/multi-instrumentalist) wrote to me that they “just want to make people smile. If you do that, we did our job, I feel!”

While creating the lyrics for the piece, John and Todd were on top of it. They designed relatable and heart-touching lines as well as a couple of altogether stellar pieces. John told me, “All of our years listening and making music taught us to always listen with open ears. A good song is a good song no matter where it comes from or what label it may carry.” Their pure love of music worked to their benefit toward ‘Headed West.’ 

John had even admitted to me that he enjoyed pop stars like Taylor swift. “If I hear a good song on pop radio, I’m definitely going to turn it up, listen and learn. “Rock N Roll All Night” by KISS is a great chorus, but so is “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift.” Swift stands next to classics like The Beatles and Rolling Stones on John’s playlist. Todd enjoys “Johnny Crash, Shy England, Little Cesar but still sticking to my go-to bands as well. Blink 182, Bon Jovi, Warrant.” 

The EP is filled with ass-kicking tracks from the beginning to the end. However, some of the most substantial pieces seem to be ‘Miles In-Between,’ ‘Never Goodbye,’ and ‘It’s Not Over.‘ Most of these happen to be more leaned back than others, like ‘Another Rock N Roll Show’ and ‘Headed West.’ Both are purely stellar and come off significantly stronger. 

‘Miles In-Between’ was elaborate with an overall uplifting and straightforward rhythm. ‘Never Goodbye‘ means something significant to the individual listener. The lyrics read. “Just goodnight/ Never goodbye/ Another one’s waiting to take their ride.” A great example of their incredible lines. “Don’t tell them the truth, it’s all just a lie.” I thought that the song gave off a sort of dark and edgy vibe. 

‘It’s Not Over’ was excellent. I dug this track over the previous ones. The lyrics are quite strong and give some fantastic inner thoughts, rather, dialogue. The song tells a story, going from a perspective of being at the very rock bottom; To the narrator beginning to pick themself up. “You were bound to fall you lost it all.” I love songs similar to this one, tracks that have a meaning. That’s good music. Not the other shit people have been doing. The piece closes with “you’ve got nothing left to prove and there’s nothing left to lose/it’s not over.” Vocally, the song sounds almost reminiscent of blues-rock. 

In the end, I left the EP thinking that it was excellent. Here’s to whatever their next chapter holds. 

“Love you what you love. Listen and support what you love. Always keep an open heart and open ears. Don’t let silly prejudice or anyone else’s opinion keep you from discovering music that connects with you.” – John.