‘Ghost Town’: Lankum offer a haunting rendition of The Specials’ classic
As the mist rolls in on another cold and inarguably bleak Autumnal period, Dublin folk devotees Lankum have offered their contribution to the soundtrack of ‘spooky season’, in the form of a haunting reimagining of The Specials’ anti-Margaret Thatcher anthem, ‘Ghost Town’.
Given the current state of affairs, it is a wonder that ‘Ghost Town’ isn’t being covered on a weekly basis by artists of all genres. After all, we are not a million miles away from the devastation of Margaret Thatcher’s reign, and lyrics like “all the clubs are being closed down” feel particularly pertinent when you look around at struggling local music scenes in recent years.
On the other hand, it is easy to see why ‘Ghost Town’ isn’t often the subject of cover versions: it is, after all, a near-enough perfect song, blending widespread appeal with artistic innovation, and one of the most profound bits of social commentary in the history of British music. Improving upon a masterpiece like that is not an easy task, so the next best thing is to reinvent the song entirely, which is arguably what Lankum have done on their newly-unveiled rendition of the track.
Rendering the track in a suspenseful, stirring, and drawn-out atmosphere befitting of its Halloween release, the Irish outfit demonstrates the breadth of their knack for reinvention. Although the core elements of the original are still present, including those iconic ‘la-la-la’ sections and the distant brass influences, the atmosphere created by the group feels, in and of itself, like the ghost of ‘Ghost Town’.
Neville Staple’s deep, booming vocal asides, for instance, are swapped out for fleeting whispers which often get swept away in the enchanting soundscape carved out by the instrumentation. Even the “do you remember the good old days” section of the track is transformed into a synth-led menagerie of understated optimism within the darkness, rather than utilising the same kitsch brand of comparative euphoria.
As is the trouble with any cover song, particularly one of a song as beloved as the original ‘Ghost Town’, comparisons cannot help but be made between the two. Ultimately, Lankum’s take on the track does not eclipse the social realist mastery of The Specials, but then that was hardly the aim. What the song does – and it does it very well – is create an enchanting, modern and transformative version of the beloved track, while simultaneously maintaining a deep appreciation for the original.
Despite the ambitious nature of their rendition, the epic soundscape crafted so beautifully by the band certainly pays off in the long run. It might have been released just in time for the end of October, but Lankum’s expansive rendition of ‘Ghost Town’ will undoubtedly last far beyond the confines of hastily thrown-together Halloween playlists.
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