Marlboro Man is ghost prom’s first release in what seems to be 22 months, and it couldn’t start any better. Pure, enjoyable feedback leading us back to the pleasures of unabashed 1994-ish Weezer-esque hot crunching guitars under screaming bendies, then bringing it down for a hushed verse that walks into the chorus after the necessary double string scratch. With Rivers Cuomo and his sweater in their dreams rather than a pack of Reds and a horse, they’re doing the classic ’90s quiet verse/loud chorus tandem, but in a smooth, subtle way that comes across fresh and playful rather than derivative. And get a load of those high backing vocals. You’ll be pulling your falsetto out of your pocket and singing ‘…Marlboro ma-a-an’ and hit repeat. Let’s hope this single is leading toward a full album release because waiting another 22 months for the next ghost prom tune wouldn’t be fair.
Written by Greg Gobel
