Pittsburgh band Ghost Hounds deliver howling good time on new album, 'First Last Time'

Ghost Hounds look to lead the pack of bluesy rockers with a new album released this weekend.

Tre Nation's go-for-the-gusto vocals, Johnny Baab's biting, blistering lead guitar and the satisfyingly soulful organ work of Center Township's Joe Munroe give character and cohesion to the Pittsburgh band's 10-song release, "First Last Time."

Blaise Lanzetta on drums, Bennett Miller on bass and Thomas Tull on rhythm guitar keep the pocket propulsive, as the sound swaggers seamlessly into gritty blues blasters ("Dirty Angel"), FM-ready alt-rock (the "First Last Time" title track, testifying soul-rock ("Make It Shake"), mid-tempo Black Crowes-y rock ("Let's Sleep on It Together") and country-western territory ("Here No More.")

The album is guitar-driven, as you'd expect from a release on the Gibson Records label, which hosted Thursday's official release party in Nashville, but every track has moments where Munroe's dancing keys rise to the top, particularly his barrelhouse piano playing on "Chasing You."

Gritty leadoff track "Last Train to Nowhere" comes equipped with a cinematic music video depicting Nation on an Old West train trip encountering a temptress and possible premonition of death. The B-roll features band members jamming in an industrial steampunk setting.

Listeners will relish "Hot Dog," faithful to the rollicking countrified fun of that Led Zeppelin original.

Ghost Hounds' folk-country cover of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" with female background harmonies does justice to John Denver's classic. Though I'm giving a slight edge to the "Country Road" versions that have become a concert staple for another local band now of national stature, Charles Wesley Godwin & The Allegheny High.

“You need to be able to add to the musical conversation,” Ghost Hounds' primary songwriter Thomas Tull said in a press release. “You can be influenced by other sounds, but to be relevant and interesting, you’d better have something original to say.”

Ghost Hounds succeed in that regard, drawing from influences but forging them into a fun sound that's their own and instantly identifiable.

The band that's toured with The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top and Bob Seger, and opened for Garth Brooks, is gaining traction.

“Last Train To Nowhere” recently hit No. 3 on the iTunes Rock charts and made its global TV debut on the premiere episodes of “Special Ops: Lioness” the new Paramount+.show from “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan that features Zoe Saldana, Nicole Kidman, and Morgan Freeman.

Catch Munroe and Nation in a one-off "Greatest Hits of The '80s" performance Aug. 12 at Linn Park in Beaver, along with a dozen other Pittsburgh area all-stars.

For tickets, call or text 724-650-3960 or email LandCPromotions2019@gmail.com. The concert benefits Beaver Parks & Recreation. The rain date is Aug. 13.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Blues-rockers Ghost Hounds deliver howling good time on new album