Reviewed by Laura Stanley
A lead singer with a smooth and sultry voice paired with a mix of 
both an alt-country and alt-rock sound, Locomotive Ghost delivers a satisfying EP entitled, Close Your Eyes and Listen.
Written primarily on the road, the seven song EP not only shows a mixture of music styles but has a mature and confident sound that stands out from a lot of the Canadian bands right now.
Close Your Eyes and Listen showcases the great musicianship of the trio, Mike Buckley, Ben Nixon, and Cortney Osness, with catchy guitar licks and an overall clean and tight sound.
Buckley as lead singer, guitarist and songwriter, channels the Americana songwriting spirit of the past, letting influences like Bob Dylan and The Band shine through while the strength of his voice adds another element to the band.
The opening song, “Sunsets Golden,” feels like another entity altogether since the rest of the album strays from this type of sound. Still a solid track, “Sunsets Golden” shows their Dire Straits influences, with a more electronic feel to the song.
Collectively, all the songs off the EP have strengths whether it be talking about love or heartbreak. The track “Shoegaze Lovers” for instance, has the clever line, “I wrote for you a letter on a bottle of Nyquil to make you feel better.”
“This Old House,” is a perfect example of the country element that Locomotive Ghost adds to their sound. With a similarity to Cuff the Duke, the simplicity of this song illustrates the influence the road has for the band.
The tender, “One Night Left” beautifully captures the Carpe Diem – seize the day – notion, with the line, “We have one night left so let’s have no regrets.”
The track ends with a piece of poetry, beautifully recited by bassist, Ben Nixon. With a likeness to slam-poet master Shane Koyczan, Nixon adds a stunning ending to the song, making the listener breathless and wanting more.
Although just an EP, shows the strength and talent of Locomotive Ghost and is definitely worth the listen.
Top Tracks: “This Old House,” “In Her Eyes,” “One Night Left”
Rating: Proud Hoot (Really good) +*swoop*
