The Phantom Band - The Wants

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3...according to our Clinton on Fri 15 Oct, 2010.

Both myself and Brian remember liking a Phantom Band album from the past but neither can remember much about it or how it differs from this one. This is a collection of sludgy Scottish rock and roll with heavy nods towards Clinic, Sons and Daughters,and mid period Depeche Mode. Its all a bit gothy and serious at times, but there are some pretty impressive things going on especially with track 3 "Everybody Knows its True" with clever chopped up vocals, marimbas and accordions. Overall its hard to get a handle on what they are trying to do as it veers from Nick Cave like ballads to Neu-influenced dark rockers within the blink of an eye, sometimes coming across as a mellower and more German influenced Twilight Sad. Occasionally this really hits the mark and could well be an album that unfurls itself after a few listens. Warning - do not confuse with the post - Can band of the same name.

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• Follow up album to 2009’s critically adored debut, ‘Checkmate Savage’.

• Recorded at Chem19 Studios with award winning producer Paul Savage (Mogwai, Twilight Sad, Franz Ferdinand et al).

• Musical inspirations include David Lynch and John Carpenter soundtracks, German kosmische music, Tom Waits, digidub rhythms, R&B harmonies, doo- wop and rock'n'roll.

• Lyrical inspiration found in lycanthropy, vampires, doppelgangers and the Salem witch trials.

• The release of ‘The Wants’ is hugely anticipated and is likely to consolidate the band’s reputation as one of the most musically adventurous acts working today.