FFWD REW

The Acorn – No Ghost

Paper Bag

As pleasant as The Acorn’s 2007 release Glory Hope Mountain was the band’s manicured harmony-laden indie folk sounded downright stuffy at times. It was all quite pretty but often it felt too buttoned-down and restrained to have much of a pulse. On No Ghost the band has allowed itself to unfurl somewhat making for a more lively listen without sacrificing the prettiness.

The band’s looser approach is apparent right from the get-go as electronics squelch over the fingerpicking of opener “Cobbled from Dust.” “Restoration” follows with the band positively rocking out as Rolf Klausener opens the storm windows on his usually delicate voice. The self-titled track even erupts into a cacophony of violins electric guitars and pounding drums while you could almost pump your fist along to the horns on “Bobcat Goldwraith.”

Throughout No Ghost it sounds like The Acorn is genuinely having fun which is a welcome change from the overly fussed-over Glory Hope Mountain . The album still contains its share of sleepy — though always pretty — moments but for the most part the band is served quite well by kicking back a bit.

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