Ouch! Now I want to hear it just to know what you're talking about, Erik!

I haven't heard the whole album. But that song "Heavy Heart" sometimes hits me on the right note but sometimes annoys the living hell out of me. I'm a Texan through and through but I don't believe I can support this current Austin shamble.

i read this review and the review of this album in the stranger and i have NO IDEA who these people are. how can their two shows be sold out? how can this album be so widely dispersed yet i've never even heard the name? i don't think it's a 'losing my edge' moment, but who are these people and hoe did they get famous? do they have a video on youtube, popular facebook page, are part of subliminal advertising during mtv's spring break? someone fill me in!

They've been played a lot on KEXP and have gotten a lot of hype lately, some via SXSW.

When I saw them on Austin City Limits a few weeks back I had to look away I was so embarrassed for them... but folks eat their stuff up. I have no idea what they offer that folks could find genuine or filling.

At first glance, they're unique and catchy. I really did like that first record, and their live shows have crazy energy -- though Aaron's voice is quite shrill (moreso live). What turned me off is that they don't cross over well. In an outdoor setting (KEXP BBQ amid blazing sunshine), they were straight up annoying. G.O. play the stuff made for dark clubs with libations and glowsticks all around. That same luster was lost on the Austin City Limits stage too (Liz, I caught some of that set as well, and was equally repulsed.) And I think they're good in small doses, but to be frank, KEXP has played them too much. I can't take it anymore!

I was expecting a whole bunch of "Erik G. is an idiot because he doesn't 'get' Ghostland Observatory" comments. Which are still better than 'ChrisB is an idiot because he listens to girls-music' comments.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised because I don't "get" G.O. either.

Hmmm...so I was going to check out their show tomorrow night based on the RAVES I hear from people about how great their live shows are. But I think your judgment is trustworthy, so now I'm sort of not looking forward to that.

I suppose we'll see how I feel when my live-show review is turned in!

I've found that there are many bands that are claimed to "be great live" ... I think a lot of people confuse "live show fun" with "good band". I mean, how many mediocre jam bands have you heard get called "a great live band". Ghostland Observatory is more or less the band that plays frat houses that everyone loves for reasons beyond anything you can understand.

"Ghostland Observatory is more or less the band that plays frat houses that everyone loves for reasons beyond anything you can understand."

OUCHIE!! That smarts.

Right, so the band is probably better with a few beers before their set. I guess this week was not the week to quit drinking then, eh?

I think they're so popular because a) KEXP plays them a lot, b) their last album Paparazzi lightning was a LOT better, and c) they put on an entertaining live show.
I actually had high hopes for this album, but like most of you it's fallen pretty flat for me. I like "Dancing on my grave" and that's about it. The first album Delete.delete.i.eat.meat was better than this one too.
I'm going to the Friday show because I bought tickets before this album came out, so hopefully they play more songs from Paparazzi lightning.

Ghostland Observatory aren’t as bad as they’ve been made out to be of late, but they aren’t as good as everybody thought they were six months ago either.

It’s goofy electro disco and it’s pretty entertaining the first time you see it live. Then you buy the album and you think “hey this doesn’t do the live show justice” so you go to see them again. About halfway through that second show you realize “Yep, I’m over this” and that’s about it.

Its hard to believe people at just figuring out these guys suck. I walked out of their sold out show at the croc however many months ago. Its was honestly horrible.