Grow Up or Sleep In

by Stewart MasonAlthough Ghosty has been a going concern since 1999 and this debut full-length was recorded in 2002 and 2003, various facts of indie life kept Grow Up or Sleep In from being released until 2006, long after this lineup of Ghosty had split. The album was produced by Mike Mogis, best known for his work with Omaha emo acts like Bright Eyes and Cursive, and a bonus track, an alternate mix of the single "Clouds Solve It," features guest vocals by the Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne, but neither of those relatively big names gives much of a clue as to what Grow Up or Sleep In sounds like, which speaks well for frontman Andrew Connor's songs. A closer comparison would be the low-key indie pop of the Shins, or even Stephen Malkmus' post-Pavement solo work, particularly on quirky character studies like "Henry Greene." "Go to Add/Drop City" blends some noise and distortion in with the sweet pop hooks, while "Big Surrender" is a sweetly jangly guitar pop song in the style that Ghosty's hometown of Lawrence, KS was known for back in the mid-'80s heyday of college rock, and the deceptively pretty piano ballad "Vandalism" makes teenage lawbreaking sound almost noble. A solid collection of songs given varied, exciting arrangements, Grow Up or Sleep In was worth the extended wait.