Customer Reviews

Phantom Moon

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This album is certainly a departure for Duncan Sheik, although it was not hard to see it coming based on his previous work, as well as his open admiration for Nick Drake. However, while there are elements of indisputable similarity to Drake, it feels as though Duncan Sheik has truly emerged with this album. The pop image that has been with him since 'Barely Breathing' never seemed to fit, and songs like 'Nothing Special' from Humming confirm that the artist shares that sentiment. Sheik's music, while radio-friendly, always hinted to a more artful temperament- with his unusual harmonic progressions and orchestrations. Sheik and his friends at Atlantic must have realized this would not have the same sales heat as his previous work, which would explain their decision to release 'Phantom Moon' on Nonesuch records, a smaller, more avant-garde division of Warner. Missing on this album is producer Rupert Hine, replaced by Sheik alone, whose inexperience as a producer is only noticeable in a few moments. Also missing on this album is Sheik the lyricist, replaced by playwright Steven Sater. This is perhaps the most compelling aspect of the album. It is extremely rare to find lyrics of such mysterious and poetic beauty as this. Sater's writing is a welcome change of pace from the mundane drivel that has become the industry norm, and an improvement on Sheik's own inspired but inconsistent lyrics. Like many of his fans, I will miss the more raucous, beat-driven moments, but after 2 listens I found myself completely hooked on many of the new songs, and each repeat listen illuminates another glorious layer. 'Phantom Moon' is an admirable endeavor from an artist who could just as easily continued to pump out the "hits", and is a must-have for anyone that can appreciate thoughtful and well-crafted songwriting.

Here we are, another late night. Everyone's gone to bed, the cats are curled up in the chair and the day is about done. ``Phantom Moon'' is playing. Again. As it has since we first bought it how many months ago.

What keeps bringing me back? The music is hummable, yet sublimely complex. The lyrics are smart, and haunt as the night fades. Melancholic? Sure. Sad? Life hurts, sometimes, and it's that pain that clenches the heart. Hopeful? Absolutely. The sun always rises.

It feels like the inside of a prayer.

Phantom Moon is a remarkably beautiful album, shadowed only by his first album. As is the case with many great artists' first solo albums (see Phil Collins- Face Value for reference), Duncan Sheik's self titled album reflects a great deal of self experience- and as such is better than future work (in general).

Phantom Moon is definitely better than Humming- there is a greater sense of unity in the songs- a linear flow from idea to idea. The lyrics are dramatically more complex and poetic (but they aren't Duncan Sheik's own) yet the music is more simple, in general.

Those who would say this album is too somber or representative of a slip into more depressing songs may not be reading what Duncan says about the album. It is a departure from what he normally does, it is more of a tribute to his influences and his friend's poetic and lyric talent. Listen to the music and the voice, that is Duncan's talent speaking.

The quality of sound that this album evokes is far beyond Humming due to it's control of orchestral parts. The range of sound is more limited than his previous albums- but then again, this lends itself to the theme of the music.

In short, get this album if you like the samples. Listen to it again and again because it keeps getting better. Memorize the words to Longing Town and try to sing it- you will realize that these third party lyrics and Duncan's music are perfect together, and that his talent is here to stay.

Reading some of the reviews before me, I could see exactly how some followers of Mr. Sheik's music might have been shocked at first over this completely mellow and sometimes more darker music than his previous two albums. But, as with every CD, we have to listen to all of the music and get used to the flow. I have to say that it was pretty surprising to listen to "Phantom Moon" for the first time. But with time and learning the logic behind Sater's lyrics and Duncan's choice of chords and musical format, everything came out beautiful. Very minimilast and relying less on the orchestra than his previous albums, the songs on "Phantom Moon" talk about your regular heartache, but also of mortality, seen in the song "All the Winds that Blow," religion and life. Other memorable tracks are "Mr. Chess", "Far Away", "This is How My Heart Heard","Requiescat", "Longing Town", "A Mirror in the Heart." The beauty of this CD is that with the acoustic setting, Duncan's voice is highlighted. The clear execution of the words, the smooth delivery of notes have always made Duncan so different from his contemporaries. But in this album, Duncan's voice is the primary instrument, accompanied by his guitar riffs and drum beats. In a music scene filled with technically geared instruments or memorable music videos, it is sometimes good to go back to music as a simple as this--where the lyrics tell us a story. My advice: the best way to listen to this CD is not on your CD stereo but on your own personal CD player with headphones. The songs are so intimate and personal that to put it on stereo for the rest of the world to hear seems inappropriate.

When I first heard some rather ominous reviews, I brushed it off as another melancholic, meaningless album of witty pop love songs. Then I heard "Mirror in the heart" on the radio. It blew me away. I decided to listen to some more clips and found the album on the whole to be refreshingly beautiful and poetically heartfelt. Sater's lyrics are mournful and inspiring. They sound like poetry you might read on a grey day, crossing the countryside of Great Britain. Really wonderful. And Duncan's playing meshes so well with the poetry it presents a haunting sound throughout the album. Phantom moon, like its title and album cover, is dark but the songs fit together so well that it is irresistable. It might be considered the folk answer to David Gray, who I also admire. If you want an album to charge your emotions about love and loss, and mellow music, buy Phantom Moon most definetly. But, if your an idiot and just want hollow sounding idiotic pop. Go look somewhere else. Duncan delivers for an intellectual crowd. PEACE and PROSPERITY , POETIQUES

I am a huge Duncan Sheik fan and just picked up Phantom Moon a couple of days ago. As usual, the music, lyrics, vocals, etc are outstanding. This cd takes more than a couple of listens to fully appreciate. My favorite song is "The Winds That Blow". I continue to be extremely impressed by the talent of this great artist, who never seems to get the recognition he deserves. Note: to those of you who are looking for top 40-type hits such as "Barely Breathing", this cd is not for you. If you want thought provoking lyrics, breathtaking music, and heartfelt vocals, you will love this cd. Bravo, Duncan!

First of all, what many people don't realize is that this release is a bit of a side-project for Duncan. The lyrics were written by a playwright friend of Duncan's (Steven Sater). Knowing that this album is not exactly the follow-up to "Humming", he published "Phantom Moon" on a smaller record label. That being said, I really like this album a lot. Duncan presents a fairly somber sound, and strips the arrangements down to their bare essentials of guitar, piano, and strings (as opposed to the lush layering of "Humming.") But it still has the unique musical inspiration that only Duncan Sheik can provide. "Phantom Moon", like the albums before it, provides beauty, complexity, and introspection. It is not the best introduction to Duncan Sheik, but it is essential for any true fan. By the way, if you are looking for some more new material by Duncan, look for the following non-album songs: "View from the Other Side", "Now or Never", "Wishful Thinking", "Someone You Need", "Songbird".

This is without a doubt the most emotionally affecting new pop album I've heard in many years. Sheik's songwriting has established a new benchmark, and his soulful singing of Sater's exquisite lyrics make for a true classic. Unlike anything else out there. It restores your faith in the power of songwriting, and leaves you with a bigger feeling of your own heart.

Spent some time listening and really falling in love with Sheik's first release recently-then went out and grabbed this cd. As good as the first cd is, Phantom Moon is one of the most wonderful creative and unique cd's I have heard in years. Sheik can get you into a rythym and change the entire direction of the music so subtly that you don't even notice. What a beautiful creation this is-now I have to run out a grab Humming....PS he also has a great website....

I bought this CD and listened to it while relocating across the country. I must have played it a hundred times after I got it...this album is the finest Duncan Sheik album yet. While you won't find a song on here that is as instantly catchy as "Barely Breathing", there are a lot of literate strummers here...as well as a few downright perky numbers like "Mr. Chess". The overall tempo is sorrowful, but never maudlin. It reminds me a little bit of melancholy John Prine songs like "Hello In There" or some of the best of Leonard Cohen. If you like those guys you should love this.