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Product Description
Review
Glasgow's Phantom band have been stealthily developing their melange of... well, just about everything good in modern music, for four years now, finally settling on a name that encapsulated their somewhat indefinable approach. If we were lazy we'd reference krautrock, folk, post rock, tribal rhythms or even (don't laugh) Big Country. But we're not, and let's just leave it at 'very good' for now. Here's why...
Each track represents a tussle, taking you in several directions at once. Only on the instrumental Crocodile (it's a very good thing when a band have the intelligence to know exactly when to shut their mouths), is undeniably 'motorik' in sound; although it's more like a gaelic Neu!.
Checkmate Savage (the title alludes to our limited tenure as top species on the planet) has an undeniably large and boastful, if doomy, sound. But an heroic ability to throw caution to the wind and sound brazenly BIG mustn't be mistaken for the meaningless posturing of a band as dreadful as Glasvegas. We're talking of a devil-may-care combination of six souls throwing everything they know at a wall and seeing what sticks. It has little to do with boring old-fashioned rock.
The resultant pot pourri combines obtuse lyricism with experimentalism, analogue drones and pulses, and, most importantly bloody great tunes. Opening single The Howling is as good an ear worm as you're liable to hear this year. The previously released Throwing Bones rattles along like a hellbound charger racing down Sauciehall Street on a Saturday night.
So, thrills, spills and and an unabashed ability to sing in their native tongue. What are you waiting for? --Chris Jones
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Even a casual glance at the song titles will quickly reveal that lyrically this is a dark, dark album. But musically it's an intoxicating, exhilarating and wholly original ride through a largely uncategorisable landscape, albeit one with some familiar signposts along the way. Echoes of The Doors and Kraftwerk are evident amongst myriad influences, whilst the production and arrangements constantly surprise and repeatedly confound expectations.
Just when you think you've got the measure of a particular track it'll make an unexpected turn in a completely different direction, never more strikingly than on "Throwing Bones" where an accapella barbershop quartet suddenly hijacks the tune in mid flow. By rights, of course, it shouldn't work but in fact it does so spectacularly, with a remarkable self-assurance that seems stitched through the entire work. At times it's hard to believe that this is a debut album, such is the self-confidence running through its veins.
There are no throwaway tunes here. Nothing clocks in at under four minutes, whilst the brooding "Island" takes almost nine to build from solo guitar and voice to its powerful choral climax. Only on the album's closer "Whole is On My Side" do you sense the band beginning to run out of steam a bit, but by then they've done more than enough to earn their five stars.
Very early days still, but I'll be amazed if this isn't on many people's "Best of 2009" list come the end of the year.
Just when you think you've got the measure of a particular track it'll make an unexpected turn in a completely different direction, never more strikingly than on "Throwing Bones" where an accapella barbershop quartet suddenly hijacks the tune in mid flow. By rights, of course, it shouldn't work but in fact it does so spectacularly, with a remarkable self-assurance that seems stitched through the entire work. At times it's hard to believe that this is a debut album, such is the self-confidence running through its veins.
There are no throwaway tunes here. Nothing clocks in at under four minutes, whilst the brooding "Island" takes almost nine to build from solo guitar and voice to its powerful choral climax. Only on the album's closer "Whole is On My Side" do you sense the band beginning to run out of steam a bit, but by then they've done more than enough to earn their five stars.
Very early days still, but I'll be amazed if this isn't on many people's "Best of 2009" list come the end of the year.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
If there's any justice in the world the Phantom Band will be the Next Big Thing. The production is wonderful - sympathetic without being overly slick, synthetic and/or organic as appropriate - and, most importantly, the songs are original and powerful. Scotland has a recent history of great bands from the Skids, through Goodbye Mr.McKenzie, Big Country, the Cocteau Twins, to most recently Glasvegas, and the Phantom Band not only keep that tradition alive but effect an evolution, and raise the bar higher still. Occasionally sounding like the best of recent American indie, but most often sounding like nothing you've ever heard before, seek out the Phantoms without delay.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
This is one of the most strikingly unique albums of the decade. I purchased this album upon a friend's recommendation and am so glad that I did. Influences, such as Can, are present but never overbearingly obvious for the listener, which in an age of obscene adaptations really does provide something fresh.
Rick Anthony provides Curtisian vocals that have a similar clear Scottish twang and delivery as Malcolm Middleton, but still maintains a distinctiveness, a true talent and certainly a voice that helps carry the record.
All in all, worth a buy!
Rick Anthony provides Curtisian vocals that have a similar clear Scottish twang and delivery as Malcolm Middleton, but still maintains a distinctiveness, a true talent and certainly a voice that helps carry the record.
All in all, worth a buy!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Stifled A Yawn
Strange. You'd think a band so obviously indebted to Can's Teutonic motorik sound wouldn't have blatantly stolen their name (Phantom Band) from Can's drummer (Jaki :Leibezeit's,... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Rooksby
Mega!!
Had this for 2 months before listening to it... now can't believe it was just like sitting there!! Mega stuff!!
Published on 16 Jan 2010 by Steven Berry
A whole good album!!!
Agree wholeheartedly with all the positive reviews so far. An album that fascinates initially, unveils itself slowly and surprisingly, then while you're still busy smiling... Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2009 by Mr. C. M. Wyatt
Suuuuuperb!
Found this by accident, trawling through Google for recommendations to listen to on Spotify. After listening to the first 6 tracks I knew I had to buy this album. Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2009 by Mr. Sr Edwards
You really should check out Checkmate Savage.
If you attempted to place Checkmate Savage , the debut album by Scottish six piece The Phantom Band , into genre specific slots you would probably end up with R.S. Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2009 by russell clarke
Buy this now
Everyone should buy album and listen to it for the rest of forever. It is incredible. xx
Published on 1 May 2009 by mousebee
Phantastic!!!
Already my album of 2009 - i'll be surprised if it gets bettered this year.
Dont know how to describe this album - lyrically dark - a rockier/folkier Beta Band - Sort... Read more
Dont know how to describe this album - lyrically dark - a rockier/folkier Beta Band - Sort... Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2009 by hairybanjo
2009 and already the best album????!!!
Checkmate Savage
Astonishing, awesome, amazing, formidable, brooding,enigmatic,
an album you cannot leave alone.
Grant Canyon
Astonishing, awesome, amazing, formidable, brooding,enigmatic,
an album you cannot leave alone.
Grant Canyon
Published on 2 Mar 2009 by GRANT CANYON
Fantastic
I really love this album. The whole thing takes you on a dark and fantastic journey, I now have it on in my car all of the time.
Published on 28 Feb 2009 by Queen Tanner
Checkmate in 3 moves!
This is the most exciting release in years. Difficult to pin down the style - unique. You need to listen to it yourself to be fascinated by haunting, poetic vocals, the rhythmic... Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2009 by Taypsey
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