Phantom Punch [Enhanced]

Sondre Lerche, Sondre Lerche and the Faces Down | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 6, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B000KRN66S
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,077 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As with jazz-oriented departure Duper Sessions, Phantom Punch is a group effort. Sure, Norway's favorite son is still at the center of the action, but his fourth is billed as Sondre Lerche and the Faces Down. In other words, this isn't a singer/songwriter affair, but rather Lerche (vocals, guitar), Ole Ludvig Krüger (drums), Morten Skage (bass, percussion), and Kato Ådland (guitar, keyboards) on power-pop pills. (Inara George from the Bird and the Bee contributes backing vocals.) While the album isn't a complete change of pace, it does represent a shift into slightly harder-edged territory. Like shoes that haven't been broken in yet, the results are mostly successful (they look sharp, but pinch a bit). Lerche has never denied a debt to tour mate Elvis Costello, but now he’s sounding a little like Costello's pals in Squeeze, surely one of the most tuneful acts to emerge from the new wave era. If Phantom Punch has a flaw, it's that Lerche's hooks aren't as pointed as they could be, a problem with his work since auspicious debut Faces Down. Granted, it isn't a major matter, and beautifully sung numbers like "Say It All" and "John, Let Me Go" are among his best. But he hasn't yet drafted a ditty as memorable as, say, "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)," and there's no doubt he's got the talent to do it. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

Norwegian songster Sondre Lerche returns with his most vital record yet. Action-packed with exuberantly concise pop songs, Phantom Punch was produced by the esteemed Tony Hoffer (Beck, Belle & Sebastian, Phoenix, Supergrass, arianne Faithfull) and brims over with unrestrained youthful energy. Still in his early twenties and already recognized as one of today's most gifted singer-songwriters, Lerche has released four acclaimed albums, appeared on the Conan O'Brien and Carson Daly shows, and toured with Elvis Costello, Jason Mraz, Nada Surf, Liz Phair and Ed Harcourt. Lerche's beguiling music and boyish charm has won fans in both the adult alternative and indie rock realms all over the world. His most dynamic, accessible record yet, Phantom Punch is poised to elevate Lerche to new heights of popularity. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Impressions, February 11, 2007

By 

idiotech (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phantom Punch (Audio CD)

I bought this album yesterday, so it hasn't had a chance to grow on me, but I can offer a few impressions.

First of all, longtime fans should be warned that this is the least melodic thing Sondre Lerche has ever done. The music is angular and energetic, at times downright raucous, and the wistful pop hooks of Two-Way Monologue are nowhere to be found. Instead, we have rapid, unpredictable melodies that twist and turn through a variety of blue notes and key changes. Some bits are catchy, while others (on first listen at least) are just hard to follow. These songs are clearly the product of an agile and highly trained musical mind, and I find them fascinating on an intellectual level. Emotionally, however, they seem somewhat barren: too much logic, not enough feeling. Again, I have not given the songs a chance to grow on me, so it's entirely possible that the emotion is there and I'm missing it. And to be fair, there are a few numbers here that immediately struck me as pretty, specifically Tragic Mirror, John Let Me Go, and Happy Birthday Girl. Hence, I'm giving this album the benefit of the doubt and not four but five stars - really four and a half, but I decided to round up because of my general esteem for the artist and because I'm the only reviewer so far. Plus, I have a feeling I will start to like it better. Most of my favorite albums struck me this way at first.

I recommend Phantom Punch highly if you are a musician or songwriter, or if you just really love Sondre Lerche. His voice and lyrical personality are as quirky and likeable on this album as they have ever been. However, there is no doubt that this is less accessible than his previous work; even the jazz of Duper Sessions, I think, does more to draw in the casual listener. You should only buy this album if you have a certain amount of patience; that said, I hope you do have the patience, because I think you'll find it's worth it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sondre All Grown Up, March 9, 2007

By 

S. Smith "sajasma" (Oxford, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Phantom Punch (Audio CD)

Sondre Lerche's fourth LP release is a refreshing departure from his earlier work: it's more frenetic and upbeat, experimenting with Latin American-flavored twists and yet still maintaining a definitively "indie rock" label, more so than the sweet-sounding pop melodies of Two Way Monologue and Faces Down (and obviously more so than the jazzy Duper Sessions). There is a revitalizing energy to Phantom Punch that assures the listener that Sondre refuses to box himself into any one category, always experimenting with different types of music without losing that distinctive and wholly original appeal.

"Airport Taxi Reception," "The Tape," "Phantom Punch," and "Face the Blood" are the songs that will get fans tapping their feet and heads along with some truly ear-catching hooks and Franz Ferdinand-inspired riffs. "Say It All," "Tragic Mirror," "Well Well Well," and "After All" are more representative of classic Sondre, and yet there is an air of maturity there that has replaced the sweet but naively innocent impression of earlier albums.

Hardcore fans will recognize the third incarnation of former B-Side "John, Let Me Go" that has cropped up on several EPs over the years in both acoustic and electric form. This time, it's even more pumped up, with a longer, more energized bridge that incorporates some great harmonica work.

Suffice to say, if you're a Sondre fan, you will adore this album as always. If you're new to Sondre, this album is far more mainstream-geared than any prior album and is an excellent introduction into the the ouvre of this phenomenally talented singer and songwriter.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I definitely felt the Phantom Punch, October 5, 2009

By 

J. Reynolds "Melodic Connoisseur" (Temecula, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Phantom Punch (Audio CD)

This album served as a bit of an eye-opener for me so my opinion of it may be a bit bias. When I first got it, I was more of a hip hop, neo soul, jazz fusion kind of guy so I was caught off guard when Phantom Punch grabbed me upon first listen and never let me go ... even to this day.

Since then, I've opened up my eyes to many more rock and indie acts, such as MGMT, Liam Finn and As Tall As Lions. And not to mention many of Sondre's earlier releases. However, while those albums are all great in their own rights, this album still holds an utmost special place in my heart. Just listen no further than the title track, "Phantom Punch" to see the why: it's exciting, not over processed and the chorus is beyond catchy and memorable. Moreover, it seems Sondre understands the concept of too much of a good thing, so the songs are nicely varied and cover a wide expanse of musical territories.

What I also love about this album and about Sondre himself is that his singing isn't overdone. Sondre doesn't have the strongest voice but he works comfortably in his range. Particularly since I come from more of a soul music background, there is nothing more tragic to my ears than a singer screeching and wailing on in a manner that doesn't suit his/her voice.

Phantom Punch, thank you for opening my eyes to new musical horizons!