The Phantom Band
The Wants

THE REVIEW

Beauty, rhythm, emotional involvement: anyone who finds themselves in front of this album should know that the nine tracks animate the soul with folkloristic charm in an increasing delight, which listen after listen becomes a gentle pleasure; from warm Scotland, the Phantom Band abduct us into their new wave disguised as indie folk that recalls Arcade Fire and the like, starting with the opening "A Glamour", where they seem like Thee More Shallows emerging from the swamp to enjoy the sun's rays, accompanied by a final crescendo where the guitar marches parallel to the choruses; dream pop also flows in "Everybody Knows It's True", where a chanting chorus accompanies the entire song, bringing to mind Fire on Fire and their evocative power. "The None Of One" is introspective, a folk ballad typical of Pearl Jam, which explodes in a final emphasis led by a digital rain, then fades to the sound of the melodica.

Rick Antony's voice has a timbre similar to Eddie Vedder and in these tracks it imbues warmth and passion. In "Mr. Natural" it's like being in a video game where the hero of the moment advances with vigor towards the final clash, defeating various enemies. The pop-dance floor vein emerges in the intriguing "O", a sort of We Are Wolves with a sense of duty, while in "Walls" a magnetic bass stands out, emphasizing the Canada-made atmospheres. "Come Away" is a soft ballad born of Beck, while "Into The Corn" is very new wave, with a sixties vibe. A medieval intro leads into "Goodnight Arrow", with its decadent melody flowing into an epic battle finale, all on a base that seems to have been stolen from Offlaga Disco Pax.

An album preferably to be taken at twilight hours, at sunset, to prepare for a night of lived lion-hearted adventures or simply lazy shamans.