It's a blessing and a curse that one half of Dead Man's Bones is Academy Award-nominated actor Ryan Gosling. It's a blessing because Gosling and his partner, Zach Shields, undoubtedly got more attention for their self-titled debut album than they would have otherwise, and something of a curse because it may not be seen for as genuine a project as it is. Shields and Gosling originally conceived of Dead Man's Bones as a horror-themed musical, but kept the songs they had written when they realized putting on a stage production would be too expensive. Despite the high concept, Dead Man's Bones are pretty far from a vanity project -- if anything, they're the opposite, with Gosling and Shields stretching far from their comfort zones at almost every turn. They played instruments they'd never touched before making the album, and brought in the Silverlake Conservatory of Music Children's Choir to add young voices to their virtually untrained ones. They also set rules for themselves while recording: no electric guitars or click tracks were allowed, and they could only do three takes for any given part. All of this gives Dead Man's Bones the feeling -- in the best possible way -- of a bootleg recording of an elaborate grade-school Halloween pageant. By embracing their amateurism so completely, Gosling and Shields turn any weaknesses into strengths, and while influences ranging from the Arcade Fire and Beirut to Roy Orbison to the Langley Schools Music Project to Disneyland's Haunted Mansion ride can be heard, the way Dead Man's Bones combine them is unique. Over the course of the album, the duo covers an array of moods and sounds that more experienced musicians would be glad to express. These songs range from gentle ("Dead Hearts"' spectral folk) to dark and driving ("Lose Your Soul") to fiery (the Nick Cave-esque "Dead Man's Bones"), and sometimes all at once. Some of the most striking tracks mix jubilant music with images of death -- or undeath, in the case of "My Body's a Zombie for You," where the kids can't help but shout out the chorus as Gosling croons like a zombie-fied '50s teen idol. Dead Man's Bones also do a fine job of balancing the campy and spiritual aspects of a concept album about love, death, and undeath. "In the Room Where You Sleep" is gleefully terrifying; "Young & Tragic," the only song the Silverlake Conservatory kids sing on their own, uses their delicate, flawed voices to express something deeper. Throughout it all, there is a "hey, kids, let's put on a show!" exuberance that makes the album all the more winning. Dead Man's Bones isn't perfect, but it's often fascinating and nearly always charming -- and Shields and Gosling wouldn't have it any other way.
As an actor, Ryan Gosling is know for choosing roles which are off-beat and out of the mainstream. Apparently that tendency stretches to his musical projects as the London, ON native teams up with Zach Shields to release the debut self-titled album from Dead Man's Bones.Just in time for Halloween the duo have released a record which seems destined to become a morbid classic. Backing the pair
More >
¬ Start your day by having a good breakfast...{pictures source}¬... and by spinning Dead Man's Bones; a debut album both spooky and class.In The Room Where You Sleep:Lose Your Soul:¬ Avoid mannequins at all costs.¬ Use psychological and physical violence on people dressed up as Lady Gaga. Don't worry, you won't get in trouble; they know they have it coming.¬ No matter what people tell you, re
More >
As an actor, Ryan Gosling is know for choosing roles which are off-beat and out of the mainstream. Apparently that tendency stretches to his musical projects as the London, ON native teams up with Zach Shields to release the debut self-titled album from Dead Man's Bones.Just in time for Halloween the duo have released a record which seems destined to become a morbid classic. Backing the pair
More >
Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields aka Dead Man's Bones have confirmed the track-listing for their up and coming self-titled debut. Its release date was set for October 6th back at the beginning of the month HERE and will be released via the Anti- label.
More >
If you enjoy watching Ryan Gosling on screen then you've probably heard about Dead Man's Bones, his musical based project alongside Zach Shields. Their self-titled debut record is due on October 6th on the Anti- label but as of this very second (and just over a week early) you can listen to the entire thing on their Myspace page right HERE.
More >
DEAD MAN’S BONES - “NAME IN STONE” from biz3 publicity on Vimeo.Apparently actor Ryan Gosling, of The Notebook and Lars and The Real Girl fame, plays music. And he has a band—Dead Man’s Bones—with fellow actor Zach Shields. The duo, who play haunting doo-wop and gospel-inspired tunes about werewolves and ghosts, got help on their self-titled debut from producer Tim Anderson of the band
More >
Reviews of new albums by Cold Cave, Beaten Awake, Dead Man's Bones, Florence + the Machine, and Flight of the Conchords
More >
i can’t fit in this skinit’s worn and used and thin♫ Dead Man’s Bones – My Body’s a Zombie for YouIn April I saw this video. It was a new band performing their only song in a cemetery. It was fantastic. Considering that the only mp3 available was a rip off the video (below) I figured I would a wait…
More >
Ryan Gosling’s band Dead Man’s Bones self-titled debut album has finally dropped and to celebrate it’s arrival in stores, a new video was also released for Dead Hearts, helped by Zach Shield and Jed Hathaway in the production of the short film.I still have to listen to the album, but the reviews in so far are pretty favorable. Going as far as saying that he’s equally as good of a musician
More >
Ryan Gosling is out to prove that he will not fall prey to the movie-star gone failed musician cliche. His band, Dead Man's Bones just released their debut yesterday and have celebrated with a new video for the song Dead Hearts. While the song might be as immediately impressive as the swooning Pa [...]
More >
Dead Man’s Bones have been getting plenty of press, especially from us (check out our post here and here), considering they have an album coming out on October 6th, the band will hit a bevy of locations on their first tour ever. In addition, no opening act will be playing, instead expect a local talent [...]
More >
I ignored this potential pretentious project Dead Man's Bones, of actor Ryan Gosling and Zach Shield. But after hearing the groovy, spooky "In The Room Where You Sleep",with the Silverlake Conservatory of Music Children's Choir won me over. They'll be touring bit in support of their self -titled debut on Anti. spotted at IGIF Dead Man's BonesOct 9, (SCM Benefit Show) Bob Baker Marionette Thea...
More >
Dead Man’s Bones new album out now!
More >
If you remember a lil bit ago I posted a promo video for Dead Man's Bones at the time upcoming album...it was super spooky and was really cool. Well NOW they just released a promo video for their upcoming tour...that dog is the balls.
More >
After months of hype surrounding actor Ryan Gosling’s music project with Zach Shields, Dead Man’s Bones, the band’s self-titled debut finally hit shelves this week. And as if they hadn’t nailed the marketing, image, sound, and artwork choices...
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Intro |
|
|
| 2 Dead Hearts |
|
|
| 3 In the Room Where You Sleep |
|
|
| 4 Buried in Water |
|
|
| 5 My Body's a Zombie for You |
|
|
| 6 Pa Pa Power |
|
|
| 7 Young & Tragic |
|
|
| 8 Paper Ships |
|
|
| 9 Lose Your Soul |
|
|
| 10 Werewolf Heart |
|
|
| 11 Dead Man's Bones |
|
|
| 12 Flowers Grow Out of My Grave |
|
|
Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Dead Man's Bones")
