Some albums draw you in with an interesting album cover, some with an interesting title, but the best way to catch a listener's ear is with the music. But a sweet band name couldn't hurt.
After only hearing a few songs by Phantogram prior to the release of their sophomore album, I must be honest I was drawn in by the band name.
In an interview with The Dallas Observer, Phantogram's Josh Carter tells fans Phantogram is their new band name; they used to be called Charlie Everywhere. They changed the name when they decided to become serious about music. A good choice, I would agree. So how did he get Phantogram? Carter told The Dallas Observer he was fooling with words like phantom and ghost, and somehow Phantogram was born.
Phantogram's sophomore album, "Voices," was released Feb. 18 by Republic Records. Like their debut, "Voices" was recorded in Albany, N.Y. in a remote barn named Harmony Lodge. Phantogram records all of their music in this barn, sounding a bit more like Justin Vernon's months of solitude in upstate Wisconsin than indie-pop. Regardless of where they go to record, Phantogram emerges successful with another great album.
The album begins with the single, "Nothing But Trouble." Right away, we hear punchy upbeat drums, soon followed by scratched out notes on the guitar. Then lead vocalist Sarah Barthel slips into existence in Chrvches fashion. By the end of the song, ear crushing guitar solos blare to a simultaneous stop.
By the second track, the band takes an unexpected turn and begins sounding like Santigold. The second single, "Fall In Love," has the third slot and changes direction again, adding more synthesizers and a distorted bass line. Each of the first three songs is very different, yet they are a great indication that "Voices" is a strong album from start to finish.
Phantogram has a style entirely their own, combining aspects of electronic, hip-hop, rock and 80s synth pop. One genre cannot define Phantogram. Barthel's voice is projected past the speakers every time she makes a sound. Her childlike vocals are contrasted so well by the sophistication and intricacy of the instrumentals.
While Barthel sings and plays the keyboards, Carter wails on guitars and drums, creating a powerful duo. Barthel and Carter have been friends since junior high. "Voices" shows how Carter and Barthel are insync after fifteen years of friendship.
After touring with The xx, Beach House and The Glitch Mob and finding time to perform on "Late Show" with David Letterman, "Late Night" with Jimmy Fallon and "Jimmy Kimmel Live", Phantogram has a jam packed résumé.
Phantogram has spent the last two years playing countless shows, performing on television, and having songs showcased in the Catching Fire Soundtrack and Showtime's Shameless. Occasionally, they get a break from it all to relax. It seems as though Carter and Barthel spend every waking moment together, but they find time to get away from one another when they are not on tour.
"Voices" is an upbeat and exciting album, although rooted in depression and despair. Barthel sings of the understanding of love and longing to be happy. Thankfully, they finish the album with a more uplifting image. In the final track, "My Only Friend," Barthel cries out to her one love, confessing all that she is for love.
You can't help but expect everything to work out for her, after an entire album of lost love and pain. The album concludes as "You're all I have/My only friend/All the stars with you" fades into the silence.
Every album that comes into WGRE is taken in for consideration, whether it was recorded in a basement or produced by Capitol Records. After sifting through all the new music we had, Phantogram's "Voices" caught our eyes, ears and emotions. It is a packed in power album for anyone, unless you don't like loud music. Enough said.
Tune in to the New Music Preview with your WGRE music directors Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. New music comes out every day; we can help you find it.
-Austin is a junior English Writing major from Terrance Park, Ohio