Those We Leave Behind

Those We Leave Behind
Studio album by I Am Ghost
Released October 7, 2008
Recorded Valencia Recording, Fell's Point, Maryland
Genre Post-hardcore
Length 48:12
Label Epitaph
Producer Paul Leavitt
I Am Ghost chronology

Lovers' Requiem
(2006)		 Those We Leave Behind
(2008)
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Those We Leave Behind is the second studio album by post-hardcore band I Am Ghost, and was released on October 7, 2008. The sound of the album is considerably different: after the departure of the band's female vocalist/violinist Kerith Telestai, I Am Ghost recorded more melodic, yet lyrically darker songs, with a stronger indication towards punk.

Album information

I Am Ghost parted ways with their band members, Brian Telestai (bass, keys, vocals) and his wife Kerith Telestai (violin, vocals) for many reasons, among those being their religious beliefs did not match the rest of the band. Telestai told interviewers that I Am Ghost was a Christian band, and would highlight the parts of lyrics from the band that she did not like.[1] After the two members left, Ron Ficarro joined filling in for bass, and no replacement was made for Kerith Telestai.

Lead singer Steve Juliano discussed the new direction of the album:

“ We went through a spiritual journey these past six months. Call it a band cliché, but it doesn't really bother me to say that. I sat in my room with these songs and really just let everything out. It was a cleansing of all the bad thoughts and ideals that had stuck in my head for almost three years. The past will always haunt you, and I know this. For awhile [sic] I was a very angry pissed off guy who hated a lot of people. This new album made me think. Why was I letting other people take control of my life? This album saved my life more than once. I don't know where I would be without these songs, the new members of this band and my family. Lyrically this is the darkest album I have ever written. Musically it's the most beautiful music we have ever done. We were not afraid any more. I am not afraid anymore. We wrote this entire album with our blood, sweat and tears. I wrote this album so I could stay alive and continue living again... ”

—Steven Juliano, [2]

Juliano wrote all of the lyrics on Those We Leave Behind. The album's music was primarily written by bassist Ron Ficarro with additional compositions from guitarist Tim Rosales III. On August 12, I Am Ghost uploaded "Bone Garden" onto their Myspace.

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "Intro: We Dance with Monsters"   0:45
2. "Don't Wake Up"   4:46
3. "Those We Leave Behind"   4:02
4. "Buried Way Too Shallow"   3:51
5. "Bone Garden"   4:16
6. "Saddest Story Never Told"   3:51
7. "Smile of a Jesus Freak"   3:39
8. "So, I Guess This Is Goodbye"   3:47
9. "Interlude: Remember This Face, Baby"   1:29
10. "Burn the Bodies to the Ground"   3:42
11. "Rock n' Roll High School Murder"   2:55
12. "Make Me Believe This Is Real"   4:07
13. "They Always Come Back"   3:35
14. "Set Me Free"   3:34

Personnel

Band
  • Steven Juliano
  • Ron Ficarro
  • Tim Rosales III
  • Justin McCarthy
Additional musicians
  • Jon LaLopa – additional guitar
  • Sharon Wang – violins (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 13)
  • Justin Chapman – cello (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 13)
  • Alison Murphy – reading (track: 1)
  • Cody Leavitt – additional vocals (tracks: 2, 8)
  • Ron Ficarro – orchestra arrangement
Artwork and design
Production and technical

Chart positions

Chart Peak
position
Top Heatseekers 12
Top Heatseekers Mountain 7
Top Heatseekers Pacific 9

References

  1. ↑ Usinger, Mike (August 15, 2007). "I Am Ghost: Battling for something big". Straight.com. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
  2. ↑ "I Am Ghost Enter the Studio". Epitaph. July 9, 2008. Retrieved August 5, 2008.