Haunted Device’s indie-pop EP Haunted Device floated through the Pulse office more than a year after its Halloween 2012 release, but we’re glad it did. The band’s history goes nearly 10 years back through a handful of names, starting in 2005 when vocalist/guitarist Chad McWherter and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Cory Johnson (of the Nashville band Calvin) began playing together as My Relationship With Gravity, with the frustrating but humorously clichéd predicament of inconsistency in the drummer slot lasting until 2007. Rollum Haas of The Features introduced them to drummer Chris Husak (affiliated with The Dead Towns and Screen Door Records), at which point MRG became Sleep Study, with the trio eventually going on hiatus to pursue solo projects.
Reforming in 2012 as Haunted Device, they released their eponymous debut late that year, defined by rhythmic melodies and elegant feedback through bleary guitars that are the sonic equivalent of smoke machines and heavy fog. It opens with “Haunted Device,” a limber, lithe number reminiscent of the somber, arty alternative ’80s stuff, possibly a little bit of Bowie. It’s a sweet melody with blustery distortion that brings to mind dancing through a smog haze.
“Part of Your Mind” is a minimal, bare pop melody with a pristine and glowing resonance, followed by the declaration time will take a bitter toll on you in “You Need Me,” reminiscent of World Party in its rhythmic structure and the sound of the vocals, which are not unlike Karl Wallinger’s. Crooning backup vocals top it off with—and this may be because the album’s title implanted the idea—a vibe that’s almost ghostly.
There is talk of stars in the following tracks “Orange Marmalade Kitten” and “Street Walker,” which seems appropriate in the reverb-y atmosphere, and the album comes to a close. Haunted Device is pretty much a one-trick pony, as is apparent after going two songs deep into the EP, but the trio’s brand of danceable sleeper pop is definitely a decent trick.
