Punknews.org LogoPunknews.org

Sign In | create an account

 
The Lawrence Arms - Ghost Stories (Cover Artwork)

The Lawrence Arms

Ghost Stories (2000)
Asian Man Records

Reviewer Rating:


Contributed by: soulbleed
(
others by this writer | submit your own
)


Published on January 17th 2003


If blistering, fast punk with raspy vocals, apathetic lyrical content, and cheap recording techniques are your cup of tea - this is your record.

Although The Lawrence Arms are considered by most a weaker version of their previous band, The Broadways, most can't deny their stunning ability to craft memorable material. Regardless of the recording quality, any listener can tell the heartache and passion behind each and every short-but-sweet song. From the opening chord of "Sixteen Hours," to the aching "Turnstiles," and the amazing "Last One," Ghost Stories has the listener always paying attention and humming along.

While it's obvious the band is still in the works of maturing, everything that made their breakthrough FatWreck release "Apathy and Exhaustion" a success is evident here (minus the crisp production) - and it sure is a very satisfying way to spend $8. Highly recommended.



People who liked this also liked:
The Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!The Lawrence Arms - The Greatest Story Ever ToldThe Lawrence Arms - Apathy and ExhaustionThe Lawrence Arms - Cocktails And DreamsAlkaline Trio - GoddamnitAlkaline Trio - Maybe I'll Catch FireOperation Ivy - Operation IvyAgainst Me! - is Reinventing Axl RoseJawbreaker - 24 Hour Revenge TherapyThe Loved Ones - Keep Your Heart

Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.
    JimmyChoo1 (March 25, 2011)

    Christian Louboutin
    Coach
    Hair Straightener
    Jimmy Choo
    Louboutin Mary Janes
    Manolo Blahnik
    Marc Jacobs

    Miu Miu

    Tory Burch Shoes
    Vibram Five Fingers
    Yves Saint Laurent

    fionahuang (March 18, 2011)

    Wholesale Coach Handbags
    Wholesale LV Handbags
    Wholesale Gucci Handbags
    Wholesale Chanel Handbags
    Wholesale D&G Handbags
    Wholesale Coach Wallets
    Wholesale LV Wallets
    Wholesale Gucci Wallets
    Wholesale Chanel Wallets
    Wholesale LV Sunglasses
    Wholesale Gucci Sunglasses
    Wholesale Chanel Sunglasses
    Wholesale D&G Sunglasses
    Packers Jerseys
    Green Bay Packers Jersey
    Packers Jersey
    Aaron Rodgers Jersey
    Charles Woodson Jersey
    Clay Matthews Jersey
    Greg Jennings Jersey

    justlikedelilah (September 16, 2006)

    Love this shit.

    Anonymous (July 27, 2005)

    lawrence arms rules!

    Anonymous (February 26, 2004)

    best tracks:
    chicago is burning
    turnstyles
    light breathing
    HELL LIVES!

    Anonymous (August 21, 2003)

    i think crimpshrine is from east bay not chicago

    Anonymous (January 23, 2003)

    CRimpshrine kinda broke up a decade ago. To bad considering they are one of the greatest punk bands of all time.

    Anonymous (January 22, 2003)

    uh crimpshrine isn't from Chicago and aside from musical infueneces has nothing to do with the larry arms...

    pope_schlomo (January 21, 2003)

    Crimpshine...no Slapstick...no Broadways...wait a sec Baxter....however Tricky Dick...Honor System????

    Damn too many Chicago bands, yet so good.

    Ramo

    Anonymous (January 21, 2003)

    If you can't see why they're good then why would it do us any good to try and tell you. If someone has a reason they happen to like a band you have to be told why in order to what...not make comments about it? I don't get it, but ok here, the lyrics are really good. Let's see, the music is catchy and sounds more "punk rock" than most of what's out there today. There ya go.

    BostonMusicGuy (January 20, 2003)

    And when someone tells me whats so great about it i will stop complaining. Right now I could care less because to me... they are not that good at all.-BostonMusicGuy

    waste_elite (January 20, 2003)

    "I dont really know why everyone sweats this band so much"

    you say that about every fucking band

    vmac (January 20, 2003)

    a little overated, but yeah, these guys rock !

    BostonMusicGuy (January 20, 2003)

    I dont really know why everyone sweats this band so much. I mean they are alright but I dont see anything incredibly special about them. But yea, I do think they are alright just not all they are cracked up to be.-BostonMusicGuy

    Anonymous (January 20, 2003)

    fuck it! we need revolution!!

    Anonymous (January 19, 2003)

    I am getting sick and tired of people puting down bands just because they are not "breaking barriers" or "starting a revoultion" and all that nonsence. Sure The Lawrence Arms are not breaking any new ground musicaly but they are creating GOOD sincere punk rock. Sadly good sincere punk rock is getting harder to find these days amonst the generic emo-pop bands that seems to be the flavor of the week these days. Just because the band is not totaly orginal and groundbreaking does not make them worthless.

    Sticky_Floor (January 19, 2003)

    these guys fucking rock

    Hubitcherkokov (January 19, 2003)

    This album is probably tied as my favorite full-length The Larry Arms have put out, along with Apathy and Exhaustion. The Clash/Ramones/Sex Pistols have absolutely nothing on these guys in my opinion.

    Anonymous (January 19, 2003)

    Are these guys like the ramones, the clash, the sex pistols? I mean, we need another band that can break the barriers like that... and it ain't gonna happen with these losers.

    Anonymous (January 19, 2003)

    But they kinda sound like Jawbreaker, but it's a good thing, cause Jawbreaker rules. It doesn't mean there ripping Jawbreaker off, it's just a heavy influence, and it's a great influence to have no less.

    Anonymous (January 19, 2003)

    i was in the store for the new limp (disapointing) and bought apathy and exhaustion on a whim back in march. still in heavy rotation. argueably the best 'punk' album of the year. this album pales by comparison, but is ok if u find it cheap. they've matured alot as writers and shit. no more jawbreaker comments. i hatethat shit.
    cawknocker.

    TenderBransonX (January 18, 2003)

    I love these guys. This is a decent effort. I think the songs on the splits they did with the Chinkees and with Shady View Terrace tower over Ghost Stories. Pick those up if your an LA fan for sure.

    Anonymous (January 18, 2003)

    yah brah, fer shure....

    milo (January 18, 2003)

    Warped tour '03 is going to rule.

    Anonymous (January 18, 2003)

    This album reminds me of the ultimate mix of jawbreaker and Crimpshrine. For those who don't know, that is a very good thing.

    Anonymous (January 17, 2003)

    I can't stop listening to the Lawrence Arms. I got Apathy and Exhaustion last Sept and since then I've been addicted to all their records, they're all in heavy rotation. Yeah, this is REALLY good.

    soulbleed (January 17, 2003)

    well, to the person who made that comment .. i reviewed it how i felt it needed to be done. most of the time, reviews that just talk about individual feelings the songs bring to the listener are annoying. most people already know this band, so i felt the need to skip that.

    Anonymous (January 17, 2003)

    "i think you should make your review a little longer. tell me about their music, what it sounds like. That would make a better review."

    haha oh fuck, i dont know why, but that comment was funny!
    anyway, LA is the shit. I think the best song off this album is 'Here comes the neighborhood'. I still love my slapstick and broadways cds, but if Dan was in TLA too, it would've been like Broadways with a new drummer. Plus honor system kicks ass too.

    Anonymous (January 17, 2003)

    I do not think the broadways, the lawrence arms or the honor system are any better than the other. They are ALL great bands! I do not understand why everyone is so compelled to pick and choose and say "well this band was better!" instead of just enjoying them all.

    And this album fucking shreds by the way....

    Anonymous (January 17, 2003)

    FUCK.

    I just submitted a review for this and the only reason I did it was because there wasn't one for it yet.

    Anonymous (January 17, 2003)

    If you think Dan Hanaway was a much better vocalist, I suggest you just check out the Honor System. That's him.

    Or just go to the source of all their musical inspiration. Jawbreaker.

    Anonymous (January 17, 2003)

    This band is vastly superior to the Broadways.

    However, I will always pine for Slapstick.

    Anonymous (January 17, 2003)

    i think i've heard the name before, but i've never heard these guys.

    Anonymous (January 17, 2003)

    i think you should make your review a little longer. tell me about their music, what it sounds like. That would make a better review.

    Anonymous (January 17, 2003)

    Tricky Dick was way better but there still awesome.

    Anonymous (January 17, 2003)

    Brendan is better on vocals in the new LA. I like Dan on the broadways a lot though, but Chris is good too. I think Dan should join the LA.

    Features

    Exclusive Streams

    Newest Reviews

    Punknews.org Team

    Managing Editor

    Adam White

    News Editors

    Kira Wisniewski
    Brittany Strummer
    Andrew Waterfield
    Katy Hardy
    Matthew Baldwin
    Armando Olivas
    John Flynn

    Video Editor

    Chris Moran

    Social Media Editor

    Justin August

    Copy Editor

    Amelia Cline

    Reviews Editor

    Joe Pelone

    Interviews Editor

    Richard Verducci

    Publisher

    Aubin Paul

    ISSN 1710-5366



    © Copyright 1999-2012 Punknews.org



    Other Places to Go

    Punknews.org Flickr Pool