(How to Live) as Ghosts
10 Years · 2017
52 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock
Melodic riffs intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a haunting atmosphere that navigates themes of loss and resilience.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Messenger Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Ghosts — This track serves as the thematic centerpiece of the album, encapsulating its exploration of coping with loss through atmospheric instrumentation and poignant lyrics.
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Blood Red Sky — With its powerful chorus and driving rhythm, this song combines intense emotions with a melodic edge, showcasing the band's ability to balance heaviness and melody.
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Insomnia — This track stands out for its raw vulnerability, addressing the struggles of mental health and sleeplessness with an intense musical backdrop that resonates deeply.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features solid songwriting and production but lacks standout moments that elevate it significantly.
What we noticed
- The first five tracks maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace, with melodic riffs layered over introspective lyrics.
- Several tracks feature dynamic shifts, such as 'Blood Red Sky' which transitions from quiet verses to a powerful chorus.
- The album includes a cover of 'Heart Shaped Box', which is arranged to fit the band's established sound while adding their own touch.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- steady pacing with emotional weight
- haunting melodies for introspective moments
- consistent flow for reflective listening
- immersive soundscapes for solitude
- dynamic shifts in intensity
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone upbeat tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — (How to Live) as Ghosts shows maturity and a strong return after a hiatus.
- Career context
- Released in January 2017, (How to Live) as Ghosts is the fifth studio album by 10 Years, following their 2015 record, From Birth to Burial. At this point in their career, the band was building on their established sound while exploring deeper emotional and lyrical themes, solidifying their presence in the alternative metal scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Breaking Benjamin· Shinedown· Red Sun Rising
Tracklist
- 1 The Messenger Start here 3:31
- 2 Novacaine 2:50
- 3 Burnout 3:34
- 4 Catacombs 3:34
- 5 Ghosts 4:08
- 6 Blood Red Sky 3:11
- 7 Phantoms 4:15
- 8 Vampires 3:57
- 9 Halos 3:54
- 10 Lucky You 3:38
- 11 Insomnia 4:02
- 12 Heart Shaped Box 5:17
- 13 Telescreen (Vampires demo version) 3:25
- 14 Novacaine (Redbird remix) 3:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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