Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox album| <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->

{{Infobox album|

| Name name = Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts

| Type = studio

| type Artist = [[Hammock (band)|Hammock]] studio

| Cover artist = Chasing after[[Hammock shadows.jpg(band)|Hammock]]

| cover Released = MayChasing 18,after 2010shadows.jpg

| alt Recorded = =

| released = {{start date|2010|5|18}}

| Genre = [[Ambient music|Ambient]], [[post-rock]]

| Length recorded = 72:39

| Label venue = [[Hammock Music]]

| studio =

| Producer = [[Marc Byrd]] and Andrew Thompson

| Genre genre = [[Ambient music|Ambient]], [[post-rock]]

| Last album = ''[[Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow]]''<br/>(2008)

| length = 72:39

| This album = '''''Chasing After Shadows...Living With the Ghosts'''''<br/>(2010)

| label = [[Hammock Music]]

| Next album = ''Chasing After Shadows... Living With the Ghosts (Outtakes)'' EP<br/>(2010)

| Producer producer = [[Marc Byrd]] and Andrew Thompson

|}}

| Last album prev_title = ''[[Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow]]''<br/>(2008)

'''''Chasing After Shadows...Living with the Ghosts''''' is the fifth studio album by American [[ambient music|ambient]]/[[post-rock]] band [[Hammock (band)|Hammock]]. It was released on May 18, 2010 by the band's own label, [[Hammock Music]].

| prev_year = 2008

| This album next_title = '''''Chasing After Shadows... Living Withwith the Ghosts'''''<br/> (2010Outtakes)

| next_year = 2010

|}}

'''''Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts''''' is the fifthfourth studio album by American [[ambient music|ambient]]/[[post-rock]] band [[Hammock (band)|Hammock]]. It was released on May 18, 2010 by the band's own label, [[Hammock Music]].

In addition to the standard edition, ''Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts'' was released in a limited edition format with a photobook and four-track EP titled ''[[North West East South]]''. The album received generally positive reviews. Critics praised the songwriting and production, though some reviewers criticized the album's length.

==Background==

After releasing the minimalistic ''[[Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow]]'' in 2008, [[Hammock (band)|Hammock]] wanted to create an album with "a very full atmosphere".<ref name = synchonation >{{cite web | last = Andujar | first = Carlos | url = http://synconation.com/interviews/trying-to-feel-the-winter%E2%80%A6-a-conversation-with-hammock/ | title = Trying to Feel the Winter... A Conversation with Hammock | work = Synconation | date = 2010-12-December 10, 2010 | accessdate = 2010-12-December 29 }}</ref>\. ''Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow'' was designed by band members Andrew Thompson and [[Marc Byrd]] to be played in a live setting. "After creating something so limited, we wanted to be more open to approaching a bigger production with this album," Thompson said.<ref name = silent>{{cite web | last = Benson | first = Nikki | url = http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/367/ItemID/3563/Default.aspx | title = Interview: Hammock | work = The Silent Ballet | date = 2010-08-15 | accessdate = 2010-12-29 }}</ref> "It wasn't like an intentional reaction to ''Maybe'' rather it felt like a natural progression of what we wanted to do at the time", the band commented. "As an artist, that's the voice you have to follow."<ref name = synchonation />

==Music==

The band described ''Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts'' as "[their] most bombastic record so far",<ref name = apunk /> though Byrd noted that some songs are completely ambient.<ref name = silent /> The band described the albumand as "more organic",.<ref name = apunk >{{cite web | last = Alia | first = Lueda | url = http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1877522 | title = Hammock 08.26.10 -– Interview | work = AbsolutePunk.net | date = 2010-08-August 26, 2010 | accessdate = 2010-12-December 29, 2010 }}</ref> featuring real drums, a horn section and a string quartet in addition to the cello parts which feature on previous albums.<ref name = silent /> Byrd and Thompson both regard the album as "different"<ref name = silent /> to their previous releases, with Thompson describing it as "a natural step forward, the right way to go".<ref name = silent />

Byrd and Thompson were inspired by the landscape of the [[Deep South]], where they both grew up, and from "an understanding of the impermanence of life. When we look at this aspect of the human experience straight in the face we have a greater appreciation of life but at the same time we also experience a deep sense of melancholy."<ref name = apunk /> They cited atmospheric artists such as [[Brian Eno]], [[William Basinski]], [[Stars of the Lid]], [[Cocteau Twins]], [[The Church (band)|Thethe Church]] and [[Thethe Cure]] as influences, in addition to more cinematic acts, including [[Sigur Rós]], [[Max Richter]], [[Johann Johannsson]] and [[Arvo Pärt]].<ref name = apunk />

===Composition===

''Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts'' was written by the band by introducing "almost every idea we have"<ref name = synchonation /> and then "[criticizing themselves] to death".<ref name = synchonation /> Byrd and Thompson started with over 50 song ideas, which they narrowed down to the 12 tracks which appeared on the album.<ref name = silent /> Byrd noted that over time, they had become better at "trimming the fat",<ref name = silent /> by shortening pieces and sometimes removing entire songs from the album. "One of the best things about working on Hammock is that there is no ego here - we don’t get our feelings hurt when an idea is not working," he said. "We just cut it and move on to the next one."<ref name = silent />

Byrd was responsible for naming most of the album's songs. He drew from poetry, film, literature and "[his] own thoughts and experience",<ref name = silent /> writing names down as they came to him. Track titles were then paired up with songs at the end of the album's production.<ref name = silent />

==Release and promotion==

''Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts'' was released on May 18, 2010 in the US and June 14, 2010 in the UK.<ref name = popmatters /> The band made outtakes from the album available online.<ref name = outtakes >{{cite web | url = http://hammockmusic.com/chasing | title = Hammock <nowiki>|</nowiki> Music > Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts and Outtakes (2010) | work = [[Hammock Music]] | accessdate =April 29, 2011 |url-04-29status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511152853/http://hammockmusic.com/chasing |archivedate=May 11, 2011 }}</ref> A limited edition of the album, featuring a photobook and four-track EP titled ''[[North West East South]]'', was also released.<ref name = nesw >{{cite web | url = http://hammockmusic.com/nwes | title = Hammock <nowiki>|</nowiki> Music > North West East South (2010) | work = [[Hammock Music]] | accessdate = 2011-04-April 29, 2011 }}</ref> The album's title described "only seeing the shadow of things and not their reality".<ref name = apunk /> "Living with the Ghosts" symbolizes the idea of living with memories or losses.<ref name = silent /> The band stated that the use of ellipsis "both continues and separates a thought."<ref name = apunk />

Hammock collaborator Thomas Petillo created the album's artwork while travellingtraveling through the Deep South with Byrd and Thompson. The figures floating in water were photographed at [[Hot Springs, Arkansas]]. Some described the cover as "morbid";<ref name = silent /> however, Petillo intended the cover to represent rebirth.<ref name = the405 >{{cite web | last = Lopez | first = Samuel Valdes | url = http://thefourohfive.com/articles/3993 | title = Hammock // The 405 Interview | work = The 405 | date = 2010-09-September 29, 2010 | accessdate = 2010-12-December 29, 2010 }}</ref> A music video for the song "Breathturn" was made by David Altobelli. Altobelli chose "Breathturn" from one of several songs sent to him by Byrd and Thompson. He then sent a treatment for the track to Byrd and Thompson, who "loved it",<ref name = silent /> noting that the final video did not differ significantly from the initial draft.<ref name = silent />

The band scheduled one show in June 2010 in support of ''Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts''; however, it was canceled due to the [[2010 Tennessee floods]].<ref name = silent /> This show was rescheduled to September 11, 2010 in Hot Springs. Byrd and Thompson were augmented onstage by Matt Slocum.<ref name = allmusic>{{cite web | last = Burleson | first = Ryan | url = http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashville/with-their-ambient-project-hammock-two-industry-veterans-pull-fresh-breath-from-the-ether/Content?oid=1902314 | title = With their ambient project Hammock, two industry veterans pull fresh breath from the ether | work = Nashville Scene | accessdate = 2011-04-29 }}</ref> Byrd stated that the band wanted to go on a full tour, but had no definite plans.<ref name = silent />

==Reception==

{{AlbumMusic ratings

| rev1 = ''[[AllmusicAllMusic]]''

| rev1Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name = allmusic>{{cite web | last = Mason | first = James | url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/chasing-after-shadowsliving-with-the-ghosts-r1767417/reviewmw0001975364 | title = Chasing After Shadows...Living Withwith the Ghosts -– Hammock |last=Mason work|first=James |publisher= [[AllmusicAllMusic]] | accessdate =August 2010-09-2620, 2017}}</ref>

| rev2 = ''[[BBC]]''

| rev2Score = (favorable)<ref name = bbc>{{cite web | last = Diver | first = Mike | url = httphttps://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/zqhf/ | title =Review of Hammock – Chasing After Shadows… Living With the Ghosts Review|last=Diver |first=Mike work|date=December 7, 2010 |work= [[BBC]] | date = 2010-07-12 | accessdate =August 2010-09-2620, 2017}}</ref>

| rev3 = ''[[Drowned in Sound]]''

| rev3Score = {{rating|6|10}}<ref name = drowned >{{cite web | last = Ferguson | first = Robert | url = http://drownedinsound.com/releases/15531/reviews/4140543 | title =Album Review: Hammock -– Chasing After Shadows... Living withWith the Ghosts |last=Ferguson work|first=Robert |date=July 20, 2010 |work=[[Drowned in Sound]] | date accessdate=August 2010-07-20, 2017 |archive-date=August accessdate20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820202036/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/15531/reviews/4140543 2010|url-09-26status=dead }}</ref>

| rev4 = ''[[Pitchfork Media(website)|Pitchfork]]''

| rev4Score = (7.3/10)<ref name = pitchfork >{{cite web | last = Tangari | first = Joe | url = http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14342-chasing-after-shadows-living-with-the-ghosts/ | title = Pitchfork: Album Reviews: Hammock: Chasing After Shadows... Living withWith the Ghosts Album Review |last=Tangari work|first=Joe |date=June 16, 2010 |work=[[Pitchfork Media]] | date = 2010-06-16 | accessdate =August 2010-09-2620, 2017}}</ref>

| rev5 = ''[[PopMatters]]''

| rev5Score = {{rating|6|10}}<ref name = popmatters >{{cite web | last = Reed | first = Ryan | url = http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/127453-hammock-chasing-after-shadows...living-with-the-ghosts/ | title = Hammock: Chasing After Shadows...Living With the Ghosts |last=Reed work|first=Ryan |date=July 29, 2010 |work=[[PopMatters]] | date = 2010-07-30 | accessdate =August 2010-09-2620, 2017}}</ref>

| rev6 = ''[[The Silent Ballet]]''

| rev6Score = {{rating|8.5|10}}<ref name = thesilentballet>{{cite web | last = Nguyen | first = Mac | url = http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Reviews/2010/tabid/159/ctl/Details/mid/633/ItemID/3364/Default.aspx | title = Hammock - Chasing After Shadows... Living With the Ghosts | work = [[The Silent Ballet]] | date = 2010-05-16 | accessdate = 2011-08-06}}</ref>

}}

''Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts'' was met with positive critical reception. Writing for the ''[[BBC]]'', critic Mike Diver ranked it as "one of the most beautiful albums of this year."<ref name = bbc /> James Mason of ''[[AllmusicAllMusic]]'' noted that "Asas objective a concept as perfection is, it is hard to think of what Hammock have achieved here as anything else."<ref name = allmusic /> Ryan Reed of ''[[PopMatters]]'' described the album as "perfect sonic accompaniment for the half-dreams that plague a restless sleep."<ref name = popmatters />

Critics noted that the album featured "a slight move toward more conventional rock structures"<ref name = pitchfork /> and more acoustic textures than their previous releases,<ref name = allmusic /> but that fans of Hammock's previous releases would still enjoy it.<ref name = popmatters /><ref name = pitchfork /> When comparing the album with ''Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow'', Diver criticized the album for feeling "uncomfortably boxed in, its textures equally rich but unable to flow in the manner its makers previously permitted."<ref name = bbc />

Joe Tangari of ''[[Pitchfork Media(website)|Pitchfork]]'' described the music as "intensely visual... you really get the sense of shapes shifting and forms moving."<ref name = pitchfork /> Mason praised the album's songwriting. "The temptation to slip into melodrama with music like Hammock's must be immense, but Byrd and Thompson know when to push over the top and when to pull back, take in the surrounding view, and pour that beauty into their songs," he said. "The exhilarating thing about this record is that they walk this line, between being at the top and going over."<ref name = allmusic /> Ferguson felt the strings were underused on the album, noting that "when they do come to the fore, the arrangements are excellent."<ref name = drowned /> The album's production was praised by Mason.<ref name = allmusic /> Reed said his favorite moments were those where "the surprising details creep in".<ref name = popmatters /> In contrast, Diver described the production as "patchy".<ref name = bbc />

The album's length was noted by reviewers. Mason praised the album for "[working] as an entire piece, not a mere collection of songs."<ref name = allmusic /> Tangari said the album was "easy to luxuriate in for its full run time."<ref name = pitchfork /> Writing for ''[[Drowned Inin Sound]]'', Robert Ferguson praised the opening three tracks, but felt that "from here is where ''Chasing After Shadows...'' starts to feel a bit samey."<ref name = drowned /> "Halfway through the album... the euphoria starts to wear off," Reed said, "and it becomes difficult not to beg for a fresh chord change or a new instrument."<ref name = popmatters />

==Track listing==

{{track listing

{{tracklist

| total_length = 72:39

| all_writing = Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson

Line 92 ⟶ 91:

}}

== Personnel ==

* [[Hammock (band)|Hammock]] ([[Marc Byrd]] and Andrew Thompson)&nbsp;– [[guitar]]sguitars, [[singer|vocal]]svocals, [[percussion]], [[record producer|producers]]

*Steve Hindalong&nbsp;– [[drumSteve kit|drumsHindalong]]– drums, percussion

* Tim Powles&nbsp;– drums

* Love Sponge Strings and Horns&nbsp;– [[string quartet|strings]], [[French horn|horns]]

* Matt Slocum&nbsp;– [[cello]]

* [[Christine Glass|Christine Glass Byrd&nbsp;]]– vocals

* Tim Powles&nbsp;– [[record mixer|mixing]], additional production

* [[Derri Daugherty|Derri Daughterty&nbsp;]]– mixing

* William Bowden&nbsp;– [[audio mastering|mastering]]

* Thomas Petillo&nbsp;– photography

==References==

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==External links==

* [http://shop.hammockmusic.com/album/chasing-after-shadows-living-with-the-ghosts ''Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts''] and its outtakes available for streaming at the official Hammock website

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hammock (band) albums]]