Ghost - Freedom of Thought

Label: Breakin Bread
Genre: Trip-Hop/Hip-Hop
Release Date: June 2009
Rating: 5.8/10

Trip-Hop has always been a cool genre. It's the sort of thing that no-one's embaressed to blast out the car window. Even when pulled up next to a Mitsubushi Evo in a rusting baby Kia, the beats refuse to cease. Ghost's second LP is no different. With Freedom of Thought, it's clear that Ghost has closely studied the works of RJD2, DJ Shadow and Nujabes and has tried to implement the prime aspects of each into his album. Which he does, to an extent. The cymbals crash, the guest rappers spit, the breakbeats drive it home. It's a trendy sounding record. But, after one run through, it's all pretty... boring. Stale; charmless; tiresome. If Ghost does achieve something with this album, besides a couple rocking road trips, its evidential proof that you just can't copy charisma. Save a few enjoyable tracks, this is one trip-hop record which can go wait in the car.

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