Over the past few years Scotland has produced some incredible bands (The Twilight Sad, Frightened Rabbit, We Were Promised Jetpacks) well now it’s time to add a new one to that list, welcome The Phantom Band. The Glaswegian sextets have been going since 2002 but have only now just started to make a name for themselves. They started out using various different names at most of their gigs including the brilliantly titled Los Crayzee Boyz, before deciding with The Phantom Band.
They released their debut album in 2009 called ‘Checkmate Savage’ through the well respected Scottish label Chemikal Underground. The album received positive critical acclaim for its diversity of sounds touching on Krautrock, folk, noise and psychedelic rock. Beautiful moments such as album highlight ‘The Island’ with its simple ascending melody of complete loneliness at sea are surrounded by complex, chaotic and often confusing pieces offerings such as the Krautrock tinged ‘Folk Songs Oblivion’. Since the band writes the songs as a group and not as a singular the album can be a challenging experience but this makes it all the more rewarding.
Stand out tracks: Island, Folk Songs Oblivion, Burial Songs
Their second album recently released through Chemikal Underground once again lives up to all the expectations a ‘difficult second’ album should it is challenging without losing its catchiness and unlike the first offering flows like a band truly reaching their potential thus making the album slightly more accessible while keeping its unconventional ideas. The mixture of folk, country and Krautrock is a lot more defined and thoughtful particularly on tracks such as ‘Mr Natural’ and opening track ‘A Glamour’. It is a remarkable full length and gives more and more with each listen.
Stand out tracks: A Glamour, Walls, The None Of One
Article by Buddy Hoad
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