Review: ‘Ghosts of Rock N Roll’ – Phil Odgers

Phil Odgers fifth studio album had a rocky start with his funding campaign thrown into doubt due to the collapse of Pledge Music and the pandemic preventing him from getting in a studio with producer Jim Knight. However, the resilient Odgers managed to push on through the setbacks and has delivered a record with a diverse range of topics set to a tight, alt-country production.

The former front man of The Men They Couldn’t Hang, has a relaxed approach to the delivery of his smooth caramel-like vocals, whilst there is a sense of wistfulness and nostalgia which runs as a common theme throughout the record. The title track has a theatricality about the arrangement whilst The Serpent, The Maiden and The Bear brings Odgers back to his folk roots.

A highlight is Brooklyn Bridge, which draws inspiration from a piece of literature; the poem ‘Motorways’ by Joe Solo. There is a small element of spoken word in the track alongside the singing but it’s the detail in the lyrics that makes the track stand out, it really helps to paint a clear picture in the listeners mind.

It would have been easy for Odgers to throw in the towel after his series of setbacks but the struggles of the last few years have surely been worth it.