(How to Live) As Ghosts
10 Years keep the guitars substantial and the melodies clear on (How to Live) As Ghosts. The Tennessee band’s eighth album brings Brian Vodinh and Matt Wantland back into the group, with Nick Raskulinecz producing. The result is a direct set of alternative metal and post-grunge songs that work best when atmosphere and a strong chorus arrive together.
“The Messenger” starts with plenty of force, placing its heavier playing against a darker background. “Novacaine” makes an even quicker impression. The bass and guitar riffs are immediately engaging, while Jesse Hasek’s singing gives the song a calmer centre. It is an effective combination, although the track finishes before those instrumental ideas have much room to develop.
That sense of efficiency runs through the album. The songs move towards their refrains with little hesitation, and the familiar structures make them easy to follow. Hasek generally uses a controlled melodic delivery rather than relying on harsh vocals. His voice fits the band’s mixture of weight and softer detail, giving the music a human focus without competing with every guitar part.
The quieter material benefits from a little more breathing room. “Ghosts” uses restrained verses and a larger chorus to bring its mood into focus. “Halos” also makes good use of that contrast, with a melody that remains clear as the arrangement grows. These songs show how well 10 Years can make an accessible rock format feel emotionally convincing.
Elsewhere, “Catacombs” offers a brighter, more energetic movement, while “Phantoms” takes a darker and steadier route. The heavy guitars remain important, but the atmosphere around them gives the record more character than a simple series of riffs. That balance is one of its strongest qualities.
The limitations are just as clear. The verse-and-chorus patterns become predictable, and some promising ideas feel cut short rather than fully explored. The album is consistent, but it rarely steps outside the band’s established approach long enough to surprise.
(How to Live) As Ghosts offers reliable, melodic heavy rock with several memorable songs. Its directness is both its appeal and its restriction: the hooks land quickly, while the best arrangements leave a sense that they could have gone further.
