Who? Ron Lewis has played guitar, drums, and other instruments with indie artists like the Decemberists’ Colin Meloy, the Joggers, and the Fruit Bats. His latest project, Ghost Stories, is essentially a solo gig under which he released Quixoticism via Sonic Boom Recordings. Though Lewis enlisted a couple of friends for sitar and piano duties on the album, he played and recorded every song himself, at home.
What’s the Deal? Despite being recorded on an 8-track tape machine in an empty house, Quixoticism is lush and layered, a collection of dreamy, intimate, and quirky pop songs. The XTC-esque “The Upper Ten/The Lower Five” is a toe-tapper with hushed vocals, pretty melodies, and thumping drums. “If you love that you’re living now, does it matter what you know?,” Lewis sings on the gorgeous “Secret Life of the Union, Part II,” a song framed by gently plucked guitar and bird noises.
Fun Fact: By day, Lewis is a cheesemonger who can describe the subtle flavors of Chaource, a triple crème. CHRISTINE RICHMOND
Now Hear This:
Ghost Stories – “The Upper Ten/The Lower Five” DOWNLOAD MP3
Talk: Is this album so good it’s scary? COMMENT
On the Web:
Ghost Stories at sonicboomrecordings.com
