Forsaken is the debut album from the Irish three piece indie/ art rock band, Hail the Ghost, which was released independently on March 6, 2015 on CD and Digital formats.[4][5][6] The music on the album was described as "ambient, cinematic alternative rock" by lead singer and songwriter, Kieran O'Reilly.[7]
| Forsaken | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Album cover for Forsaken | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 6, 2015 | |||
| Recorded | Jam Studios, Ireland | |||
| Genre | Indie rock, art rock | |||
| Length | 41:27 | |||
| Label | Independent | |||
| Producer | Kieran O'Reilly/Martin Quinn | |||
| Hail the Ghost chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Forsaken | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Hot Press | (7.5/10)[1] |
| Irish Independent |   [2] |
| Scene Point Blank | (8/10).[3] |
Recording
editThe album was recorded, mixed and mastered in JAM Studios, Kells, County Meath in Ireland between January 2014 and January 2015. The album was Produced by Kieran O'Reilly and Martin Quinn.[8][9][10][11][12]
Album artwork
editThe artwork for the album was a photograph taken by O'Reilly's on-screen Love/Hate co-star, Brían F. O'Byrne, who took the photograph of his youngest daughter, Oona, while at home in Cavan. The image is entitled "Oona hears a noise".[11][7][13]
Album release
editCritical reception
editThe album received favourable reviews; Tony Clayton-Lea (The Irish Times) wrote a review on the album for HMV stating, "Hail The Ghost comes across not so much a side or vanity project as a bona fide artistic statement."[14] The album was acknowledged well critically with Hotpress Magazine stating, "The playing throughout is impeccable, and the production pristine, with every instrument allowed to breathe naturally. The overall effect is one of gorgeous contemplative calm. Excellent."[1] The Irish Independent's review of the album included, "Forsaken is unambiguously from the heart" and the "unremitting bleakness is curiously endearing."[2] Dublin Concerts described the album as an "Impossibly beautiful album".[15] The Sunday Times referred to Hail the Ghost as "A winningly downbeat ensemble."[16] Hail the Ghost also performed at Ireland's Electric Picnic Festival 2015 [17][18]
Charts
editForsaken reached number 2 in the Irish Alternative iTunes Chart in its first week[19] and following an appearance on The Saturday Night Show, the album re-entered the Alternative Irish Charts at number 7 and climbed to number 3 in the Irish Alternative iTunes Chart.[20] Forsaken peaked at number 67 in the Irish National Music Charts[21]
Personnel
edit
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Track listing
editAll lyrics are written by Kieran O'Reilly
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nostalgia" | 4:24 |
| 2. | "Colony of Ants" | 3:46 |
| 3. | "Ink & Blood" | 3:39 |
| 4. | "Gabriel" | 3:52 |
| 5. | "Headstoned" | 3:04 |
| 6. | "Even Judas" | 6:03 |
| 7. | "Lazise" | 3:38 |
| 8. | "Low Lying Fog" | 3:40 |
| 9. | "White Heart" | 4:56 |
| 10. | "Drift" | 4:25 |
| Total length: | 41:27 | |
Notes
edit- ^ a b Hotpress Magazine, 2 November 2015, vol: 39, issue: 4, p. 119.
- ^ a b "Review: Love/Hate Garda Kieran O'Reilly's new album, Forsaken, with band Hail the Ghost". independent.ie. March 11, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ "Hail the Ghost - Forsaken". scenepointblank.com. March 30, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
- ^ "Love/Hate Kieran is cop of the pops". herald.ie. March 7, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ "Hail the Ghost - Forsaken". hotpress.com. March 11, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ "Forsaken by Hail the Ghost". itunes.apple.com. March 6, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ a b O'Connor, Brendan (March 21, 2015). "Celebrity Interviews". The Saturday Night Show (Interview). Kieran O'Reilly. Dublin, Ireland.
- ^ Quinn, Martin. "The Making of Forsaken". JAM Studios Website.
- ^ "Love/Hate copper Kieran O'Reilly is cop of the pops with new album". independent.ie. March 7, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ a b "Hail The Ghost debut album 'Forsaken' released today". jamstudios.ie. March 6, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ a b c d O'Reilly, Kieran (2015). Forsaken (booklet). Hail the Ghost. Ireland: JAM Studios. p. 2.
- ^ "Hail the Ghost - About". hailtheghost.com. March 7, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ "Love/Hate cop hasn't time to sleep as his many 'hobbies' keep him busy". evoke.ie. March 14, 2015. Archived from the original on March 18, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
- ^ "Album Previews: Matthew E. White, Jon Hopkins, Hail The Ghost, Vann Music". hmv.com. March 6, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
- ^ "Hail The Ghost – Forsaken – Review". dublinconcerts.ie. March 27, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ The Sunday Times Culture Magazine, 29 March 2015, p. 12.
- ^ "Electric Picnic stage times". irishtimes.com. September 2, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
- ^ "Artist Info: Hail the Ghost in Whelan's". electricpicnic.ie. September 1, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
- ^ Kieran O'Reilly's Twitter Page on Twitter
- ^ "Noel Gallagher remains at summit of Indie Chart". hotpress.com. March 27, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ "Discography: Hail The Ghost". irish-charts.com. March 13, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
- ^ "Interviews: Hail The Ghost". scenepointblank.com. March 30, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2016.