308 Ghost Train

Soft but strong enough to draw together a harmony seemingly out of thin air, the keys that we find in the new single “Bleed Over Me” from 308 Ghost Train are pivotal to the creation of a mood in this latest release from the rising rock group. 308 Ghost Train put a lot of stock into the power of melodic ribbonry here, but while “Bleed Over Me” is perhaps their most pop-friendly effort to see widespread release thus far, it’s hardly a step away from the rock n’ roll lexicon that they’ve been building their name within lately. In this single, we’re introduced to a band that doesn’t care much what you think about retro pop/rock magic - they’re playing to the fundamentals of this genre (and sounding pretty incredible in doing so).  

SOUND-CLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/user-153508539

The melodies here are supremely rich from an instrumental standpoint, but nothing feels particularly overdone at all - on the contrary, I would even say that this is a rather lean and mean composition when taking into account its being stylized as a power ballad. 308 Ghost Train are careful to stay away from the overindulgences that have brought down many of their contemporaries, and influences for that matter, in “Bleed Over Me,” but at the same time they aren’t shy about putting as much oomph into the mechanics of their performance as can be mustered from within the four walls of a recording studio. They’ve got a good handle on their depth for a group that is as fresh on the scene as they are, and I doubt I’m going to be the only critic that notes as much this summer. 

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/308ghosttrain?lang=en

These string parts have a great tonality to their harmonies that really balances out the vocal parts wonderfully. Had each of the different components in “Bleed Over Me” not been given as much of the spotlight as they ultimately were afforded in this instance, I can’t be sure whether or not the single would feel as chill-inducing as it does - even after numerous listens. There’s still a lot that we need to discover within the artistry of 308 Ghost Train, but if there’s anything we can collectively take away from this most recent dispatch, it’s that they’re all about the details (no matter how seemingly small or insignificant).  

APPLE MUSIC: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/308-ghost-train/1464782600?ign-gact=3&ls=1

If this is just a preview of what 308 Ghost Train are going to be bringing to the table on a regular basis in 2020 and beyond, then you can absolutely count me in for more of their work in the future. They’ve got a unique sound that is reminiscent of some serious heavyweights in the history of classic rock, but while the comparisons to the old guard will be inevitable, there’s nothing archaic about the way they’re doing business in “Bleed Over Me.” This is a modern, very mature look for their brand, and if it’s any sort of representation of who they are at their most emotional, it won’t be the last heavy-rocking ballad they deliver to critical acclaim.  

Joshua Beach