What makes Ghosts of the Past by Eskimo Joe notable?

The album debuted at number five on the ARIA Albums Chart, showcasing Eskimo Joe's sustained popularity in Australia. Critics praised its introspective songwriting and cohesive production, further solidifying the band's position in the alternative rock scene. Released in 2011, 'Ghosts of the Past' marked Eskimo Joe's fifth studio album, following their successful 2009 release 'Inshalla'. At this point, the band was exploring deeper lyrical themes while maintaining their distinctive alternative rock sound.

Who is Ghosts of the Past for?

Ghosts of the Past works well if you're into melodic nostalgia for quiet moments, steady pacing for reflective listening and introspective themes of past memories.

How many songs are on Ghosts of the Past?

Ghosts of the Past has 12 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Ghosts of the Past

Eskimo Joe · 2011

45 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock

Melancholic melodies intertwine with reflective lyrics, creating a sonic landscape rich in nostalgia and emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Gave It All Away — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its anthemic chorus and themes of longing, representing the band's ability to blend catchy hooks with emotional depth.
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When We Were Kids — Reflecting on nostalgia and the passage of time, this track showcases poignant lyrics and a stirring melody that resonate deeply with listeners.
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Ghosts of the Past — The title track encapsulates the album's overarching theme of reflection and memory, featuring haunting instrumentation that enhances its emotive storytelling.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and production, with cohesive themes but lacks standout uniqueness.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
Several tracks prominently feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
The album includes recurring motifs in both lyrics and melodies, creating a sense of thematic unity across its twelve tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

melodic nostalgia for quiet moments
steady pacing for reflective listening
introspective themes of past memories
mid-tempo flow for easy engagement
for afternoon contemplation

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy excitement
prefer standalone tracks over cohesion

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Continues the band's exploration of deeper themes, showcasing their sustained popularity.
Career context: Released in 2011, 'Ghosts of the Past' marked Eskimo Joe's fifth studio album, following their successful 2009 release 'Inshalla'. At this point, the band was exploring deeper lyrical themes while maintaining their distinctive alternative rock sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Silverchair· The Temper Trap· Jebediah