Some are saying (or at least assuming) that The Marked Men‘s new record Ghosts will be the band’s swansong. While things aren’t completely dead and buried, guitarist/vocalist Jeff Burke is moving to Japan. Hence, the band is being put on ice for the time being. Place this very sad situation on top of the fact that the band are following up 2006′s Fix My Brain, one of the most perfect pop punk records EVER made, and needless to say expectations were high in my book.

Ghosts is a tricky album of sorts. The songs trick you by being too fast. They blaze by you left and right that you don’t know what hit you. A few serious listens later, however, I was able to fully hear each carefully constructed note and all the vocal harmonies. The Marked Men are not a one trick pony, that’s for sure. Oh, and for the record, it’s fucking awesome. 

Read more after the jump.

Ok, so, I’ll be frank; I didn’t like the record at first. The first time I heard Fix My Brain I instantly fell in love with it. I wanted it to happen again this time around, but it just didn’t. Ghosts certainly has a different feel to it. But let’s be real, it’s not like the band pulled a complete 180. I didn’t open this record and put it on and go, “hmm, is this the new Omar Rodriguez-Lopez snoozer?”  That would just be plain silly, now. If you are a fan of the band, you know what you are in for. But the attitude and progression of the songs are definitely a little more frenzied compared to the last few records. 

So while it may have a different feel, I think the band have developed their overall songwriting. Every song sort of wallops you in it’s own way. It was almost like they planned on putting as much balls and swagger into each song as they possibly could.

Just take a song like “Fortune” for example. The song has a ton of intricate and intertwining guitar play, lighting fast drumming and loads of that good ol’ headbobbin’ factor. Chalk “Get To You” and “Not That Kid” up for this notion as well. 

So this is what you do. 1. Take Ghosts off your shelf. 2. Place on turntable or in cd player 3. Turn it up loud. 4. TURN IT UP LOUDER. 5. Repeat. It’ll continue to get better and better. I still enjoy Fix My Brain more but hell, this is pretty damn close for me. 

I imagine a future where kids are wearing Marked Men pins on their jean jackets. Kids who may not even been born when the band was around. Jesus, listen to me, I sound like one of those whiny punk rock dudes talking about the “good old days.” Well, if this is it, they have certainly left a trail for the others to catch up to. Please don’t leave us!