(((S))) - Phantom

Title: Phantom
Artist: (((S)))
Genre: Darkwave / Post-Punk
Release Date: 30th April 2010
Label: AFMusic / Danse Macabre



Album Review

‘Ghost’, (((S)))’s debut album quite rightly has enjoyed plenty of acclaim, including Mick Mercer’s coveted album of the year award. So, it’s follow-up, ‘Phantom’, has a lot to live up to. I don’t think it’s as simple as that though. (((S))) has already re-ignited the stalling Post-Punk / Darkwave scene and we’re still waiting for everyone to catch up. So does he in fact have anything to prove, or would he just simply bind ahead?

The frostiness of his debut has thawed somewhat - I think whatever it was he’s got it off his chest for the time being. So this album is more endowed with that Post-Punk wistfulness that bands like TONES ON TAIL, LOVE AND ROCKETS, NEW ORDER and THE DANSE SOCIETY used to be full of. The sound is probably a lot more palatable for most people, and as a result it let’s (((S)))’s talent for pop melodies and catchy hooks shine through a lot more. ‘A Crying Shame’ starts off the album in a subdued TONES ON TAIL vein with infectious keyboard work over a strong vocal melody. ‘Lonely is the Lighthouse’ turns the groove up, in a bit more of a DANSE SOCIETY meets SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES way for a great sing-a-long track. ‘Invisible Man’ is a melancholic slice of indie pop that would have been a top ten hit in 1985 with it’s strong dance beat and sinister guitars. ‘We’re in the Wind’ sounds like an early CURE track that is blessed with the pop hooks and the melancholy of ‘Pornography’ but also the big sounding production of ‘Disintegration’.

‘Autumnhead’ is a more fun sounding track that could almost be drawing from THE BEATLES or at least the BONZO DOG DOO-DAH BAND with its playfully psychedelic pop feel. ‘Walk’ is another sinister indie-pop track that makes great use of layers of guitar melodies and whispered vocals that is just a pleasure to listen to. ‘Addicted to my Dreams’ goes back to that TONES ON TAIL by way of modern Darkwave sound again with the strong drum beat mixed with a great guitar line and even better keyboard work on the chorus - again, maybe twenty-five years to late to be a top ten hit. ‘A Handful of Dust’ has a bit of a JOY DIVISION feel to its echoing drums which gives this already mid tempo pop song a very, very dark underside. ‘Tired Hangs the Head’ is another brilliant sing-a-long pop song with very retro, but big sounding production that brings the most out of the chorus. ‘Hole in my Heart’ is a great dance floor track with it strong electronics, driving beat and memorable guitar work that makes for a great close to the album.

It’s a damn fine album. It’s just a shame that the musical climate at large isn’t geared up for this genuine and creative Punky Darkwave. At least within the realms of the Goth scene at large this album, like its predecessor should quite rightly become acclaimed very quickly. The mix of the retro sounds and progressive song writing are a breath of fresh air in a world of over polished futuristic sounds. But where will (((S))) go from here?


Tracklist

01. A crying shame
02. Lonely is the lighthouse
03. Invisible man
04. We're in the wind
05. Autumnhead
06. Let's take a walk
07. Addicted to my dreams
08. A handful of dust
09. Tired hangs the head
10. Hole in my heart


Line-up

(((S)))


Websites

http://www.myspace.com/fustydk


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10


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