It’s been more than three decades since the Canadian band, Crash Test Dummies, released their debut album, “The Ghosts That Haunt Me”. The album, with its haunting lyrics and distinctive baritone vocals from frontman Brad Roberts, captivated audiences worldwide, earning them critical acclaim and multiple Juno Awards.
In a recent interview, Roberts reflected on the album in 2023.
“I like the track “Superman’s Song”,” Roberts revealed. “I also think the first track on the record, “Winter Song”, and “The Ghosts That Haunt Me” are good strong songs, but some of the other tracks on that record I’m not so nuts about now in retrospect. That was the first time I’d ever written an album, so it should come as no surprise that it’s not my best effort because I just didn’t have that much experience at that point. I think our next record turned out vastly better and I was extremely grateful that it did as well as it did.”
Despite Roberts’ modesty, the album’s impact cannot be denied. “The Ghosts That Haunt Me” spawned the hit single “Superman’s Song”, which reached the top of the charts in Canada and gained significant airplay in the United States. The album’s distinctive sound, which combined folk, rock, and classical influences, was a departure from the grunge and pop music that dominated the airwaves at the time.
The album’s success was also due in part to Roberts’ distinctive baritone voice, which he says has only gotten stronger over the years.
“As a matter of fact, when one grows older, one’s voice grows deeper,” he explained. “My vocal teacher when I was a young man told me this, and he was right. It’s actually easier for me to get those notes down than ever and between you and me and the fence post, my voice is stronger than it’s ever been and that’s not just me blowing my own horn, although I am clearly blowing my own horn at the same time. That’s what I’m hearing from the fans – they’ve all gone to shows and noticed the lack in the vocals that you’re just mentioning now and the multiple times I’ve had people claim to me that I sound better than ever. I think it’s largely got to do with exactly what you’re talking about. The voice does deepen as one ages and if you’re singing songs way up in the top of your range then it’s going to get tougher as you get older, but I write in a deeper range to begin with and because the human voice gets lower over time I don’t have any problems. The only problems that I have are with high notes, but I haven’t, because I write my own songs I don’t write any notes that I can’t sing.”
Surprisingly, “The Ghosts That Haunt Me” has also led to renewed interest in the band, with younger generations discovering their unique sound and fans reminiscing about the impact the album had on their lives. “The Ghosts That Haunt Me” may not have been Brad Roberts’ favourite effort, but it remains a beloved classic that continues to haunt fans three decades later.
Crash Test Dummies have a new single out now, :Sacred Alphabet” and have a handful of dates across the US in May. For more, visit crashtestdummies.com.
