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

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{{Infobox album|

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

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| cover = Chasing after shadows.jpg

| alt =

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

| recorded =

| venue =

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| 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 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, 2010 }}</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 /> and 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>

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)|tThethe Church]] and [[the Cure]] as influences, in addition to more cinematic acts, including [[Sigur Rós]], [[Max Richter]], [[Johann Johannsson]] and [[Arvo Pärt]].<ref name = apunk />

===Composition===

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==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 Music > Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts and Outtakes (2010) |work=[[Hammock Music]] |accessdate=2011-04-April 29, 2011 |deadurlurl-status=yesdead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511152853/http://hammockmusic.com/chasing |archivedate=2011-05-May 11, |df=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 /> 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 traveling through the Deep South with Byrd and Thompson. The figures floating in water were photographed at [[Hot Springs, Arkansas]]. 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>

==Reception==

{{AlbumMusic ratings

| rev1 = ''[[AllMusic]]''

| rev1Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/chasing-after-shadowsliving-with-the-ghosts-mw0001975364 |title=Chasing After Shadows...Living with the Ghosts -– Hammock |last=Mason |first=James |workpublisher=[[AllMusic]] |accessdate=August 20, 2017}}</ref>

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

| rev2Score = (favorable)<ref name=bbc>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/zqhf/ |title=Review of Hammock -– Chasing After Shadows… Living With the Ghosts |last=Diver |first=Mike |date=December 7, 2010 |work=[[BBC]] |accessdate=August 20, 2017}}</ref>

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

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

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

| rev4Score = (7.3/10)<ref name=pitchfork>{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14342-chasing-after-shadows-living-with-the-ghosts/ |title=Hammock: Chasing After Shadows... Living With the Ghosts Album Review |last=Tangari |first=Joe |date=June 16, 2010 |work=[[Pitchfork Media]] |accessdate=August 20, 2017}}</ref>

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Joe Tangari of ''[[Pitchfork (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

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==Personnel==

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

* [[Steve Hindalong&nbsp;]]– [[drum kit|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

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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''] at the official Hammock website

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hammock (band) albums]]