The Go - Howl On The Haunted Beat You Ride

This is only the third Go album in eight years (fourth if you include the limited edition self-released vinyl only Supercuts from a few years ago), but each one has been well worth the wait. Howl On The Haunted Beat You Ride is the Detroit outfit’s most laid back effort thus far, incorporating country rock and seventies pop influences into their R&B driven rock ‘n’ roll sound. One of the standout cuts, “Invisible Friends,” has a similar retro AM Radio feel to Outrageous Cherry, complete with infectious melody and appropriate handclaps. “So Long Johnny” sounds like the late-sixties Rolling Stones when they were hanging around with Gram Parsons, while even better is “Caroline,” a lush epic worthy of Badfinger in their prime. Two other favorites, “Down A Spiral” and “Smile,” have similar Canyon Rock grooves to The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield – infectious stuff. A couple of songs like “Help You Out” hint at the more aggressive direction of The Go’s 1998 Sub Pop debut, back when Jack White was a member of the group, but for the most part this is a more subdued effort. Mellow Gold.
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