Customer Reviews

Eyelid Movies

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Upstate NY-based duo Phantogram, consisting of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel, issued a couple of EPs in 2009 that quickly gained critical acclaim, in particular with the song "When I'm Small", and now finally comes the US release of their debut album, which was released in late 2009 in overseas markets. If you're not familiar with the band's sound, think Portishead or even Neon Indian.

"Eyelid Movies" (11 tracks; 45 min.) starts off with a blast, an upbeat "Mouthful of Diamonds", followed by their best song, the earlier-mentioned "When I'm Small" (both from their March '09 EP), the latter being so infectious, you just want to play it over and over again. But great tracks follow one after another, "Turn It Off", with great off-beat underlying drums. "Running From the Cops" is another great trip-hop tune. "All Dried Up" provides a breather to give way to "As Far As I Can See", yet another mesmerizing track, what a great fabulous first half of the album. The second half starts off with the only clunker on this album, "You Are the Ocean", a 5+ min. track that goes nowhere and has mediocre lyrics to boot ("This song is about you/Cuz I can't live without you"). But the best is yet to come after that, with "Bloody Palms", which is a coulda-shoulda be major radio single (if mainstream radio were any good, which of course it isn't), and "Futuristic Casket", another irresistible trip-hop track. The album closes with the pensive "10,000 Claps".

In all, I can't emphasize enough how impressed and charmed I am with this debut album of Phantogram. Sure to make my end of the year "best of" list, and quite high on it. Can't wait to see this band live at some point. If you wonder where you can hear this band, check out WOXY (BAM! The Future of Rock and Roll), the internet-only station that brings the best indie-music in the country. Meanwhile "Eyelid Movies" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

There are so many spaces that Eyelid Movies fits that it is crazy. I feel just as comfortable playing this record as an indie rock spot as I would at a hip hop night. The usage of familiar drum breaks gives it an appeal that will make any b-boy smile, while the instrumentation will definitely bring all the emo to the yard. There are references to Portishead and the like, but I hear J Dilla and Tobacco. It may sound similar to trip-hop, but these guys are showing a bit more range to me. Emotionally, Eyelid Movies covers a lot more ground than Tricky ever has. The range is in the production capabilities though, which I think is the greatest component to this two-piece band.

How about a simple review from someone that is not an aspiring writer.....

If I had to categorize this album, I'd call it: hip-hop/alternative-rock. (parts of it even sound like house)
I'm not really into rock, but I am definitely a beat lover/hiphop(not rap) fan.

My favorites are:
Mouthful of Diamonds
Turn it off

I liked:
when I'm small
Running from the cops
As far as I can see
Bloody Palms

If your into Dilla, Hudson Mohawke, Flylo, you will like this album.

I picked this up at my local record shop (!) after hearing it playing over their stereo - and I'm really glad I did. They're definitely influenced by Portishead, New Order, and many others (Mazzy Star and Belly come to mind), but they've also brought a unique glitchy electronica to the mix. The songs that stand out for me are "Mouthful of Diamonds", "You Are The Ocean", and "All Dried Up", but the highlight, which has stuck in my head (very pleasantly) is "When I'm Small" -- a very catchy bass-line, beautiful vocals, and a cinematic feel. All I can say is please, Phantogram; keep making music, and come tour the West Coast!

I didn't want to write a review on this album without seeing them live first. I have to be honest, when I listen to the album, I don't feel like dancing. I feel like sitting down and dissecting the parts of it. I think the influence of trip hop definitely gave this band a leg up with sound. Without it, I think the album might have fallen short of something special. Listening to them live was a very different experience. A lot of the sounds are prerecorded, and the drummer was fantastic. It's something you must experience if you love this album.

I'm not entirely sure how I started listening to this album. I think it was recommended to me, and I downloaded the album without thinking. The album aesthetically is very beautiful. Sarah's voice is gorgeous. In a few acoustic versions of their music, you can hear how lovely it is. However, throughout the album I feel that it's drowning within all of the other instruments.

One drawback I had with the album was the lack of intimacy I feel. It's one of those albums I listen to when I have nothing else in my collection I'm in the mood for. But that's what also makes this album genious. That lack of connection is what makes it so easy to listen to.

I don't think this band thrives on lyricism. I think they make music that is beautiful, but when you sit down and listen to what it all means, very little connection is made.

More than anything, this is a very well made first album. You can't expect this from many musicians who start out. I hope to hear more from them in the future.

WOW!!! Great top-down in the convertible, summer night drive to Vegas from Phoenix. Makes getting there much more fun. Nice layering, textures and loops. Kruder & Dorfmeister would be proud to call this album their own. Can't wait for their sophomore release. This is a gem!

The first review on here states that this band is heavily favored toward Portishead, but being a big Portishead fan, I'd have to disagree to a major extent. Phantogram does not contain the epic spacing, atmosphere, sample mixing, or wicked vocals that Portishead extensively relies on.

What this album does have is a great sound of its own. I would liken this more toward Santogold or the "It's Blitz!" album of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs!. A lot of melodicly motivated electronic beat with sweetened textures. Some of the more moody elements and drum-machine bits are more east-coast industrial than they are trip-hop. But the combination and culmination of sound is quite pleasing. A good broad sound makes this an album that will be on my player for a while to come.

This is easily one of the best new albums I've heard in a long long time. If you like trip hop, retro, indie/alternative , or just good music, this is an album you should own. This one takes me so many places and reminds me of so many different bands and genres that it becomes at once unique and original. Seldom is a band able to cross genres as well as this album does. Recommended for anyone who appreciates good music.

Simply put Phantogram are excellent. They have the crunch, the 80s synth, a trace of The Velvet Underground and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.....so......congrats to you Phantogram!

I don't write reviews for music very often. This CD however, deserves it. This is probably the best disc that I bought in '11. Check it out.