Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power
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Free Music Notes for Phantom Power
Free Music Review: if you'd like a psych-up/contempo beatles/beachboys thing
Hit: 4 Stars
this isn't a band: it's an addiction. after i bought "rings around the world" and was swept up in the super melodic trippiness of this fine band, i had to see what they'd do elsewhere. so i bought everything i could get my hands on. this is one of the better records (they're ALL very worthwhile).
do you like SPARKLEHORSE, THE BLACK WATCH, BLUR, NADA SURF, ELO (yes, them--or the move) and of course the beatles and beach boys (yes, the best bits of the beach boys--ie brian songs, harmonies)...this is at once adventurous and undeniably pleasant...what a FIND!!! they should be huge.
buy this and trip out!!!
Free Music Review: With apologies to Reznor, this marked the beginning of a true downward spiral
Hit: 3 Stars
The Furries scale back the orchestral overhaul of their last effort for a more simplistic and natural sound on Phantom Power. But the effort occasionally suffers from snippets of glumness and slurring noise in the vocals. Maybe it's the Vedder disease, but considering how beautifully melodic a lot of these songs are, Gruff Rhys' energy seems exhausted, like he's going through the motions.
"Hello Sunshine" is sprightly, but sounds too pleading from the singing. "Golden Retriever" is a fine single and very catchy, but Rhys is simply marble-mouthed. Those sorts of vocals served them in the past (witness "Shoot Doris Day"), but not when they seem to be leaning more to New Pornographers than Beck/Blur. Luckily, they manage more than enough good moments to almost make up for it. "Slow Life" is a striking epic closer, "Out of Control" pulses with the energy lacking elsewhere, and "Piccolo Snare," while a bit lyrically obvious, contains joyous highs that are otherwise in short supply. But after the high of Rings (and knowing they'd stumble even deeper on Love Kraft) this is a band on the fast decline struggling to remain afloat.
Best cuts: "Slow Life," "Out of Control," "Golden Retriever," "The Piccolo Snare," "Valet Parking," "Liberty Belle," "Venus and Serena"
Free Music Review: Finally Able to Stop Listening A Year Later
Hit: 5 Stars
I was firmly addicted to this album for about a year. These guys are incredible. I don't think the comparison to Pet Sounds is fair. Every new indie "masterpiece" that comes out is compared to Pet Sounds, and I'd hate to lump this in with the wave of indie sludge that is coming out right now. SFA have their own unique sound that combines brilliant, offbeat songwriting with great musicianship, and they just have a great ear for what sounds good. Why they haven't caught on more in the states, I don't know. Free Music Review: Tragically The Other Phantom Power
Hit: 4 Stars
As Hunter S. Thompson once said, "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." This album is most definitely weird and was released at one of the weirdest times in human history. Destined to do quite poorly in the United States, it strikes at the main nerve of the post 9-11, in the end self-defeating, active defence lie and the capitalist fodder that fuels it. To go one further, the band has decreed the album carbon neutral and will plant enough trees to cover the ecological cost of the entire production run proving the band intends to stand behind its lyrics and not just abuse front page topics in search of controversy and the publicity that follows it [a l? Madonna]. They're in it for the long haul. Steeped in vocals reminiscent of the Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys cut with a droney Beta Band edge, this album has more psychedelic staples than you can exhale a bong hit at. There are heavily distorted and reverbed guitars, bizarre synth beeps and growls, haunting percussion work, sweeping orchestral arrangements, the occasional church organ, and much, much more. Those who were not fans of their previous work will probably not like this either as, though it shows definite improvement, it progresses from where Rings Around The World left off. Likewise, those who avoid upbeat, harmonious choruses and country-influenced riffs and slide guitars should pass as well. Musically, this is three times as interesting as George Harrison's Brainwashed with more relevant and persuasive lyrics. Phantom Power lends itself nicely as a headphones album as layer upon layer of complexities and effects swirl dizzyingly from ear to ear. If you plan on doing any drugs before listening to this, wear a tight hat because it just may blow your mind. I'm still picking up the pieces of mine.
Free Music Review: A grower...
Hit: 5 Stars
I always used to declare the Furries' debut as their essential masterpiece, never to be topped. Then I noticed that I listen to this one a lot more. Somehow it snuck into my top rotation and now refuses to leave. And I don't want to force it out. It's a lot more toned-down and mellow than their earlier work, which is something I really appreciate in the waning days of my youth here- I tend to care far more about the details of songcraft than energy for energy's sake these days. The details are what make this record. The addition of electrical beats at the end of track five, for example, and the way it builds through vocal harmonies into the chorus, is just beautiful. There are moments where we have country slide guitar, or blues riffs, or harmonies, or electronics, and it all sounds natural and organic. This band is vastly under-recognized, but I believe that they are one of the truly great bands of the modern era. Long may they thrive, and create music that is detailed, unique, catchy and artful (but not at all pretentious).
-H