This album is something of an oddity. Modern day gospel does sometimes find its way to my Satan sponsored ears and some of it is, in truth, quite nice in a damnation through mediocrity kind of way. “Tremulant” by Ghostwriter is, however, not quite a gospel album even if it draws much from old time spiritual songs and evangelical hymns.
Given the source of inspiration, that would make this album a rather curious choice for a musical adventure in these days of vacuum packed forgiveness or is it? Is this album perhaps a commentary of on the gap between intent and action on spiritual matters in these troubled times or is it merely a simple and affectionate throwback to a past time when the path to redemption could be walked even by parliamentarians?
Mark Brend, Suzy Mangion, Andrew Rumsey and Michael Weston King – for it is they, duly and verily, that make up Ghostwriter – have undoubtedly given us something uplifting here. Voices merge into a singular purpose that both interests and enchants and those words pulled from the books of a spiritually purer past still seem, by some artistic magic, to have relevance to the ears of today with Suzy Mangion’s voice, in particular, proving so hauntingly effective that even my cynical soul was moved to pray for more.
Even if you are not religious, there is considerable appeal in this traditionally presented, and really rather beautiful, collection of songs that are intended to lift you towards peace and tranquillity and, in combination with some tasteful meanderings into ambient territory, the result is remarkably satisfying to the soul. Is “Tremulant” an album that can wash away your sins? Probably, unless you are a parliamentarian when, let’s be honest, you had better hope that God is in a very forgiving mood.