New Jersey rock writer and guitarist Dave Vargo dropped his fourth studio album this spring – a 12-track work entitled Ghost Towns; the long-awaited follow-up to 2022’s Crooked Miles. Featuring Tim Pannella on drums, Todd Lanka on bass, Danielle Marrone on backing vocals and Dave Vargo as guitarist, lead vocalist, and songwriter, Ghost Towns is a treat for all you Americana, rock and country types out there, delivered in a sweet and seamless 44 minutes.
Opening track “Anything At All” sounds like a rediscovered hit from the early golden age of Goo Goo Dolls – balladesque, bittersweet and blanketed with ‘90s rock-pop tones that feel like a teen dream rewritten from a much wiser perspective, making us here at Ark of Music instant fans of Dave’s sonic vision.
But then, things take a turn; title track “Ghost Town” is layered with the fresh country soundscape its title may suggest, while picking up rich flairs of rock distortions, topped with smoky vocals. “A New Life” feels like a 50s-meets-70s/80s throwback as classic rock themes join with an alternate country sound to “Ghost Town,” – just as enigmatic, its rhythms almost reminding this reviewer of a certain Billy Ray Cyrus hit, yet served with a slice of glam rock.
“No Second Guesses” embraces ballad atmospheres and sentimentality, merging that Goo Goo Dolls sound with the vibe of a slower Green Day hit, while “Let It Go” dabbles in post-punk tones more blissful than you can imagine. “Tales To Tell” is an anthem flocked with dark, bluesy suspense; “Not So Young” brightens things back up with acoustic guitarwork and folk-rock themes, before “Hard” introduces one of the best ballads on the album, lightweight in sound but heavy in lyrical emotion.
As Ghost Towns unfolds through “Those Little Things,” “But I Do,” “Promises” and the dusky country rock album-closer, “Where It Started,” one thing becomes strikingly clear: Dave Vargo is an artist who knows his sound and vision well, refusing to hold back for a moment. He wrote this album with the intention of listeners riding its wave from start to finish, and it works fantastically well. It’s seamlessly cohesive through each slight reinterpretation of its base genres; a relatable journey through countless ups, downs, and swerves, ribboned with comforting tones and an unmissable sense of artistry. These aren’t just songs smashed together into a record. Ghost Towns harbors that old-school touch of meaning and authenticity, woven together by a vivid love for the musical craft.
Dave Vargo cites Wilco, Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, and Will Hoge amongst his greatest influences, while revealing a penchant for lyrics steeped in deeper meaning, and music which hides far more than meets the eye (or ear, in this case). So, if you’re a fan of those artists listed above, Ghost Towns is about to take the top spot on your summer playlist this year. 90s rock fans are bound to fall in love with this record, too.
By the way, Dave Vargo isn’t just a songwriter and solo artist. He’s toured with the likes of Whitney Houston, dabbled in session work and band collabs, and is a Berklee College of Music graduate. Together, these ventures have made Dave’s music the polar opposite of the ‘one trick pony’ type, the songwriter actively engaging and experimenting with all forms of Americana, country rock, and folk to craft the unique and exquisite blend featured on Ghost Towns.
This record had us hooked from its first track to its last, leaving us with one easy, final verdict: Highly Recommended.
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