Holy Ghost is a split record Modern Baseball shares with itself, meaning that songwriters/guitarists Jake Ewald and Brendan Lukens each get a side (A and B, respectively) to do their respective thing. Okay, okay, but when OutKast split a record between songwriters, the pair only returned to do reunion shows — and we're all still bitter about it. But, hey, if that's what these Philly pop-punks want to do, we can't stop them, just hope they keep on keepin' on. As evidenced by these two songs — one from each — the evolving Modern Baseball has the makings of a powerhouse songwriting duo, even if they work separately.
Ewald's "Everyday" has all the lethargic charm and mood of an early Modest Mouse track, with glimpses of shimmering feedback that mimic the memories he tries to remember. Ewald writes NPR:
I have a pretty bad memory. When I manage to remember things from my past (recent or distant), they usually seem insignificant on the surface. Nevertheless, those are the things I remember, and most of the important stuff is forgotten. "Everyday" is a short exhibit of those insignificant memories and an attempt at understanding their importance in my life.
While Lukens doesn't have the Robert Smith croon, "Apple Cider I Don't Mind" takes its mopey-but-danceable cues from The Cure. Opening with the line, "Did you ever love me?" Lukens writes that the song is about trust:
Trust is something every growing relationship needs. Without trust, all your conversations are just questions and doubts. I lost my best friend and partner, and didn't know who to blame. "Apple" is a toast to looking at past mistakes as a chance to move forward.
Holy Ghost comes out May 13 on Run For Cover.
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