The sophomore effort from Battleviews, composed of husband and wife duo Ryan and Natalie Raichilson, is a heartfelt collection of songs that have a lasting impact on anyone who takes the time to listen to it. Two Ghosts was recorded in Ryan and Natalie’s home in Metuchen, NJ, and the LP was mixed and mastered by Steve Sopchak (Ice Nine Kills, Motionless in White). The themes range from the unbridled joy of parenthood, the heartache that comes when the realization sets in that your kids won’t stay young forever, to the feelings of loss plus a slight detour to an 1800’s ghost story. The warm vocals from both Ryan and Natalie are filled with a love towards Indie/Americana music, with some slight nuances to their songwriting to keep things fresh and exciting. Two Ghosts is a record you can put on as you sit by the warm glow of the fireplace during the winter season and ponder your next steps in life. The soundtrack that these two musicians have created here is a glowing testament to their dedication put towards their craft.
The album opens cautiously on “Bed” with an acoustic guitar and the inviting vocals of Natalie Raichilson, as she effortlessly sings a near-lullaby that unfolds with sweeping instrumentation in the chorus and harmonized vocals with Ryan. Battleviews understand their artistic strengths on songs like this as they cut right to the core of what makes music so powerful. “Open Door” picks up the pace in the tempo with some energetic vocals from Ryan as he explains his outlook in life. The song reminded me a bit of The Format’s Interventions & Lullabies record, with a similarly pleasing result.
The more somber “Mine” recalls a story filled with mystery and adventure as Natalie commands the vocals with a storyteller’s vibe. “Cherished Times” is a song about how quickly our children grow up and it offers a reminder to embrace the short period of time when our kids are small and full of wonder. “The Dresser” is a great track about the beauty of falling in love with the person you want to spend all of your days with, and the vocals between Natalie and Ryan are warm and filled with purpose. The song unfolds by adding in more layers to their sound, while it bleeds gently into an interlude to set the tone for the back half of the album.
”Other Side” opens with a carefully strummed acoustic guitar before Ryan smoothly croons over the guitar a tale of heartache and the longing that comes when you’re apart from your significant other. The story the band tells by sharing each verse from each of their perspectives is well-constructed and gorgeous in its composition. The song picks up some new legs after the two initial verses by adding in some banjo and some well-placed drums for a sound similar to Mumford & Sons.
”On Her Own” starts off quietly with vulnerable vocals from Natalie as she explains her mindset for her days ahead. The song continues to build momentum as it unfolds, and it showcases the beauty of smooth vocals over an acoustic guitar. “Last Jump Of Summer” recalls the feeling of that last gasp of the summer season before going back to school, while “Wind Up With Nothing” adds in some drums from Kyle Burnett as Ryan takes the lead vocal duties to sing a song about the fragility of relationships and wanting to be a better person in the end. The title track closes out the record with a cautious reminder of what makes Battleviews so endearing. They play off of each other’s heartfelt lyrics and vocals in a loving way and make timeless, beautiful music together. By adding in some new elements to their sound, while still staying true to who they are as musicians, Battleviews quickly become the best-kept secret in the indie folk genre.