Ghosts and Vodka Precious Blood Music
by Ghosts and Vodka

Ghosts and Vodka's second album, Precious Blood, is perhaps their best. The band had recently formed in 1998, and the group had previously released the album Momento Mori that same year. The album Precious Blood has twelve songs, and it runs just shy of 40 minutes. Released on September 1st, 2001, under the label Sixgunlover Records, this was the last album that the band created. While an anthology of their work was released by Sixgunlover Records in 2003, the band never created another album after Precious Blood. Indeed, they broke up soon afterwards. With this context in mind, one can understand how this album really is the band's swan song. It is a beautiful arrangement that speaks only of the music they could have continued to make.

The soft and somber guitar of the first song, "Andrea Loves Horses," invites the listener to join Ghosts and Vodka on a 40-minute journey. Ghosts and Vodka starts its album gently, letting the listener ease into their music. However, the album is quick to pick up. The very next song, "It's About All Right Then," throws the listener right into the midst of a loud, heavy, and emotional guitar. As the songs progress this guitar, sometimes hopeful and sometimes melancholic, continues to dominate the album. This strong guitar is supported by consistent drums that helps to bridge the gap from the first song to the last. Almost every piece commands the listener in some way due to the drums strong, but not overbearing, presence.

However, the band knows when to let the drums rest and focus on the sad and haunting sound of the guitar. The song which comes much later in the album, "Conversational All-Stars," is a shining example of that return to the slow guitar-focused sound. Towards the end of the album, the band seems move away from the math rock sound to dabble a bit in more post-rock or shoegaze styles with the song "Mechanical Bull Rider." While not a huge departure from the rest of the album, the difference is noticeable. The last song of the album, "Nicholas Prefers Dinosaurs," seamlessly ties together the album. A short track, "Nicholas Prefers Dinosaurs," returns the album from the chaotic noise of "Mechanical Bull Rider" to the sound of a peaceful, and almost hopeful, guitar. This decision by the band was the perfect way to round off an already amazing album.

All in all, Precious Blood, really seems to be the defining work of Ghosts and Vodka's short-lived career. The effectiveness of the album clearly shows the potential the band possessed. Not only did the band vary in style between songs, but the band also managed to write an album that is able to keep the listener's attention throughout the entire album. It is clear that this album is Ghosts and Vodka's best work.