ALBUM REVIEW: Karen Elson, The Ghost Who Walks

Maybe I was a bit cynical about international supermodel Karen Elson’s move into music. Her husband is Jack White of the White Stripes, who produces and plays drums on The Ghost Who Walks, her debut album.

This incredibly elegant and haunting album features 12 songs, 11 original compositions by Karen and 1 cover of a song originally by her Citizens Band cohort Rachelle Garniez. There is much to enjoy about the album, the title of which refers to a nickname Elson endured at school in Oldham.

On her debut disc, Elson spins intriguingly unsettling tales of lost love, dashed hope, romantic betrayal and various crimes of passion witnessed only by the full moon.

She infuses the gorgeous title track with a sinister yearning, whilst the fragile The Last Laugh recalls the haunted country twang of Loretta Lynn.

Elson sounds more at ease with country blues and murder ballads, bringing a convincing, lonesome quality to the lovely Lunasa and The Last Laugh.


Tracklisting:

1. The Ghost Who Walks
2. The Truth Is the Dirt
3. Pretty Babies
4. Lunasa
5. 100 Years from Now
6. Stolen Roses
7. Cruel Summer
8. Garden
9. The Birds They Circle
10. A Thief at My Door
11. The Last Laugh
12. Mouths to Feed