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Track Listings
| 1. Bad Vibrations |
| 2. Haunting at 1300 McKinley |
| 3. Yellow Elevator #2 |
| 4. Sunday Afternoon |
| 5. River of Blood |
| 6. Entrance Song |
| 7. Phosphene Dream |
| 8. True Believers |
| 9. Telephone |
| 10. The Sniper |
Editorial Reviews
Review
The Black Angels third album, and first release on Blue Horizon, is the highly anticipated
Phosphene Dream, which is set to come out on September 14th. Phosphene Dream marks a
giant leap forward for the band. Produced and mixed by Dave Sardy (Oasis, Wolfmother,
Band of Horses, Black Mountain) over a period of six months in Los Angeles, the album shows
off a bold new direction for The Black Angels both sonically and musically, a fresh take on the
neo-Psychedelic movement they've been at the forefront of for years.
The Black Angels recently received their highest profile look when they were featured on
the UNKLE song With You In My Head, which is played during the most pivotal scene in the
hugely popular film, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. The song is also featured on the film's recently
released soundtrack.
While past albums Passover and Directions to See a Ghost were recorded in the band's
hometown of Austin, Texas, the process by which Phosphene Dream was created pulled the
band out of their comfort zone and forced them to look at songwriting and recording in a way
they never had before. Years of non-stop worldwide touring have turned The Black Angels
into a tightly wound unit, and those years of work are all on showcase here. The band plans
to celebrate the release with more years of touring, starting at the end of August
where they will be playing the Reading and Leeds festivals in the UK, Rock en Seine in Paris, and the highly coveted Jim Jarmusch curated stage at All Tomorrow's Parties in NYC.
Seymour Stein, music business legend and founder of Sire Records commented,
Great musicianship and performers, mesmerizing vocals, and songs that penetrate the subconscious. That's the best way to describe Black Angels, our first signing to Blue Horizon records. In every way the band is perfect choice to re-launch to this iconic label.
His partner, the legendary producer/songwriter Richard Gottehrer (Go Gos, Blondie, Marhsall Crenshaw,
Richard Hell & The Voidoids, etc.) added, Everyone was so receptive when we announced we were bringing Blue Horizon back. We hope they share in our excitement for the great things we have in store in modernizing this label to serve as a source of music from emerging artists across genres. --Filtermagazine.com, 7/23/2010
Phosphene Dream, which is set to come out on September 14th. Phosphene Dream marks a
giant leap forward for the band. Produced and mixed by Dave Sardy (Oasis, Wolfmother,
Band of Horses, Black Mountain) over a period of six months in Los Angeles, the album shows
off a bold new direction for The Black Angels both sonically and musically, a fresh take on the
neo-Psychedelic movement they've been at the forefront of for years.
The Black Angels recently received their highest profile look when they were featured on
the UNKLE song With You In My Head, which is played during the most pivotal scene in the
hugely popular film, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. The song is also featured on the film's recently
released soundtrack.
While past albums Passover and Directions to See a Ghost were recorded in the band's
hometown of Austin, Texas, the process by which Phosphene Dream was created pulled the
band out of their comfort zone and forced them to look at songwriting and recording in a way
they never had before. Years of non-stop worldwide touring have turned The Black Angels
into a tightly wound unit, and those years of work are all on showcase here. The band plans
to celebrate the release with more years of touring, starting at the end of August
where they will be playing the Reading and Leeds festivals in the UK, Rock en Seine in Paris, and the highly coveted Jim Jarmusch curated stage at All Tomorrow's Parties in NYC.
Seymour Stein, music business legend and founder of Sire Records commented,
Great musicianship and performers, mesmerizing vocals, and songs that penetrate the subconscious. That's the best way to describe Black Angels, our first signing to Blue Horizon records. In every way the band is perfect choice to re-launch to this iconic label.
His partner, the legendary producer/songwriter Richard Gottehrer (Go Gos, Blondie, Marhsall Crenshaw,
Richard Hell & The Voidoids, etc.) added, Everyone was so receptive when we announced we were bringing Blue Horizon back. We hope they share in our excitement for the great things we have in store in modernizing this label to serve as a source of music from emerging artists across genres. --Filtermagazine.com, 7/23/2010
Product Description
The Black Angels third album, and first release on Blue Horizon, is the highly anticipated Phosphene Dream, which is set to come out on September 14th. Phosphene Dream marks a giant leap forward for the band. Produced and mixed by Dave Sardy (Oasis, Wolfmother, Band of Horses, Black Mountain) over a period of six months in Los Angeles, the album shows off a bold new direction for The Black Angels both sonically and musically, a fresh take on the neo-Psychedelic movement they've been at the forefront of for years.
The Black Angels recently received their highest profile look when they were featured on the UNKLE song With You In My Head, which is played during the most pivotal scene in the
hugely popular film, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. The song is also featured on the film's recently
released soundtrack.
While past albums Passover and Directions to See a Ghost were recorded in the band's hometown of Austin, Texas, the process by which Phosphene Dream was created pulled the band out of their comfort zone and forced them to look at songwriting and recording in a way they never had before. Years of non-stop worldwide touring have turned The Black Angels into a tightly wound unit, and those years of work are all on showcase here. The band plans to celebrate the release with more years of touring, starting at the end of August where they will be playing the Reading and Leeds festivals in the UK, Rock en Seine in Paris, and the highly coveted Jim Jarmusch curated stage at All Tomorrow's Parties in NYC.
Seymour Stein, music business legend and founder of Sire Records commented, Great musicianship and performers, mesmerizing vocals, and songs that penetrate the subconscious.
That's the best way to describe Black Angels, our first signing to Blue Horizon records. In every way the band is perfect choice to re-launch to this iconic label.
His partner, the legendary producer/songwriter Richard Gottehrer (Go Gos, Blondie, Marhsall Crenshaw, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, etc.) added, Everyone was so receptive when we announced we were bringing
Blue Horizon back. We hope they share in our excitement for the great things we have in store in modernizing this label to serve as a source of music from emerging artists across genres.
The Black Angels recently received their highest profile look when they were featured on the UNKLE song With You In My Head, which is played during the most pivotal scene in the
hugely popular film, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. The song is also featured on the film's recently
released soundtrack.
While past albums Passover and Directions to See a Ghost were recorded in the band's hometown of Austin, Texas, the process by which Phosphene Dream was created pulled the band out of their comfort zone and forced them to look at songwriting and recording in a way they never had before. Years of non-stop worldwide touring have turned The Black Angels into a tightly wound unit, and those years of work are all on showcase here. The band plans to celebrate the release with more years of touring, starting at the end of August where they will be playing the Reading and Leeds festivals in the UK, Rock en Seine in Paris, and the highly coveted Jim Jarmusch curated stage at All Tomorrow's Parties in NYC.
Seymour Stein, music business legend and founder of Sire Records commented, Great musicianship and performers, mesmerizing vocals, and songs that penetrate the subconscious.
That's the best way to describe Black Angels, our first signing to Blue Horizon records. In every way the band is perfect choice to re-launch to this iconic label.
His partner, the legendary producer/songwriter Richard Gottehrer (Go Gos, Blondie, Marhsall Crenshaw, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, etc.) added, Everyone was so receptive when we announced we were bringing
Blue Horizon back. We hope they share in our excitement for the great things we have in store in modernizing this label to serve as a source of music from emerging artists across genres.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
New Directions to see a Ghost takes the form of a Phosphene Dream
September 15, 2010
Format:Audio CD
The third album from the Black Angels finds them at the beginnings of a new direction that might alienate fans of their first two albums Passover and Directions To See A Ghost. While Phosphene Dream has a lot of the signature "doom and drone" sound that made this band so refreshing and mind blowing in the underground Psychedelic Revival rock scene, we now see them embracing a new lighter, almost happier tone on some of the songs on the new album. This actually works very well. In fact, it kind of gives the band a sorely needed 60's garage rock energetic feel at times. Some people would complain that the band has sacrificed their political edge for a sappier almost dream like love poem; but I disagree. Their is still a political slant on the new album, its just not as in your face as their first album Passover was. Furthermore, don't forget that the band has touched on feelings of affection before, like "Doves" and "Bloodhounds on my trail" (which is actually a kind of anti-love song). The first time fans listen to this album, they will probably have a hard time adjusting to the new direction of the band. However, after a couple of listens, they will discover that the band has not changed that much and they will probably end up liking the new element that was brought forth for this album when the band experimented with expanding their sound in other revival rock directions. Hopefully, this experimentation from the band will see even more blossoming on their next highly anticipated album(s).
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
THE BLACK ANGELS FLY OVER AND DROP A THIRD ALBUM. I'M TORN AND MAY CHANGE MY REVIEW AT A LATER DATE!
September 14, 2010
By Simon Mordue
Format:Audio CD
I have really been enamored with the Black Angels for quite some time.
I have been waiting eagerly for their third effort. What I did not know was that they had decided to hit the studio with David Sardy Producing (Oasis, Black Mountain and Wolf Mother). After reading that I already anticipated something a little more subdued. God knows! Anyone who works as an artist, hopes that one day their art will become what they do as a profession and allow them to find some stability of sorts. Once connected to a big name Producer, Joe Public sits up and pays attention.
Granted these guys have oodles of talent and have honed their influences over the last two albums into a cleaner tighter sounding endeavor.
The end result is the return of Kula Shaker. This is neither a good or bad thing. It just simply is. Their heavy Doors/Elevators influences still linger but due to the fact that their sound has been tightened and cleaned up, a lot of the sludgey-ness I loved from the first two albums has gone....or rather, is there....but it's just been tweaked and polished. This is something, that for some, will not be a bad thing. It doesn't even bother me that much. But where this album really falls flat (for me.), is the lyrics. Some of the tracks are almost...Okay, let's be really frank here...are blatant 60's psyche pop songs with throw away lyrics. What happened to the socio-political angle that these guys were integrating throughout their songs. I loved that about them. A sense of doom along with lyrics about war, politics, etc. On this album quite a large percentage of the lyrical content is of a fairly light weight nature. Nothing too thought provoking.
I simply miss the darker vibe of the first two albums. They are both killers...PASSOVER and DIRECTIONS TO SEE A CHOST. But this poppier, Kula Shaker/Oasis vibe was obviously their intention and desired, new direction.
For example. the track SUNDAY MORNING....opens like a Creedence track, bangs straight into the 13th floor Elevators and is then held together with Kula Shaker glue and Mamas and Papas lyrical stylings. So if any of this appeals too you, dive in. It appeals too me as I love the 60's and 70's...I just suppose I expected them to re-stake their claim in the psychedelic sludge arena.
But when all is said and done. If I had not heard the first two albums, I would be onboard and ready for the cruise. Because these guys are truly great musicians who capture the essence of an era and stir it into their own pot of musical stew.
I will be interested to read what others think of their new album.
I have been waiting eagerly for their third effort. What I did not know was that they had decided to hit the studio with David Sardy Producing (Oasis, Black Mountain and Wolf Mother). After reading that I already anticipated something a little more subdued. God knows! Anyone who works as an artist, hopes that one day their art will become what they do as a profession and allow them to find some stability of sorts. Once connected to a big name Producer, Joe Public sits up and pays attention.
Granted these guys have oodles of talent and have honed their influences over the last two albums into a cleaner tighter sounding endeavor.
The end result is the return of Kula Shaker. This is neither a good or bad thing. It just simply is. Their heavy Doors/Elevators influences still linger but due to the fact that their sound has been tightened and cleaned up, a lot of the sludgey-ness I loved from the first two albums has gone....or rather, is there....but it's just been tweaked and polished. This is something, that for some, will not be a bad thing. It doesn't even bother me that much. But where this album really falls flat (for me.), is the lyrics. Some of the tracks are almost...Okay, let's be really frank here...are blatant 60's psyche pop songs with throw away lyrics. What happened to the socio-political angle that these guys were integrating throughout their songs. I loved that about them. A sense of doom along with lyrics about war, politics, etc. On this album quite a large percentage of the lyrical content is of a fairly light weight nature. Nothing too thought provoking.
I simply miss the darker vibe of the first two albums. They are both killers...PASSOVER and DIRECTIONS TO SEE A CHOST. But this poppier, Kula Shaker/Oasis vibe was obviously their intention and desired, new direction.
For example. the track SUNDAY MORNING....opens like a Creedence track, bangs straight into the 13th floor Elevators and is then held together with Kula Shaker glue and Mamas and Papas lyrical stylings. So if any of this appeals too you, dive in. It appeals too me as I love the 60's and 70's...I just suppose I expected them to re-stake their claim in the psychedelic sludge arena.
But when all is said and done. If I had not heard the first two albums, I would be onboard and ready for the cruise. Because these guys are truly great musicians who capture the essence of an era and stir it into their own pot of musical stew.
I will be interested to read what others think of their new album.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Compared to "Directions to See a Ghost," which for me fulfilled the promise of "Passover," this third album's less consistent and more eclectic. I understand why. The band risked getting trapped in their overwhelming, percussive, intense drones. I loved these (see my reviews of both CDs), but I admit if they had produced another record full of the same darkness, without room for light, it might have been nearing a dead-end however polished and raw both.
So, with no idea what to expect, hearing these ten tracks shows the band recognizes what had to be done. I will briefly comment on each song to give you an idea of the range. "Bad Vibrations," a would-be slogan for the band's earlier work, starts with their familiar distorted guitar on top of a heavy beat, but it races towards a livelier end than usual. "Haunting at 1300 McKinley" continues this approach, but "Yellow Elevator #2" mixes a Clinic-like vocal processing with stacked and interwoven voices to add layers to what in the past has been the same intonations from a single throat. It works well to vary this style, which as the song goes on reminds me of very early Pink Floyd blended into "Dark Side of the Moon"'s title track: the song definitely evokes this period.
"Sunday Afternoon" opens with perhaps an electric jug like their Austin, Texas, predecessors 13th Floor Elevators used; this tune also recalls "Nuggets"-era garage rock. "River of Blood" returns to their signature sound with a war theme but it hurries up the pace also as it progresses. "Entrance Song" continues a tribal beat.
"Phosphene Dream" as the title track alters the tone and moves to a thicker, clotted production that recalls Echo and the Bunnymen with its chiming keyboards. "True Believers" adds a folksy, artsy twist that hints of Clinic and Elf Power in an experimental take on indie ambitions that filter older melodies into lo-fi studio atmospheres.
"Telephone" dramatically departs for a peppy song that could be the Beatles circa 1964. "The Sniper" ends it all with a guitar rock-based song that's rather straightforward by the band's standards, and somehow the guitar riff and delivery suggests an epic passage of the first or second Led Zeppelin albums. So, you can hear how varied this record is, as it draws upon a lot of 60s' inspired psychedelic influences. Like the best interpreters today, rather than imitate this creative period, The Black Angels filter and play and alter it into their own reality.
So, with no idea what to expect, hearing these ten tracks shows the band recognizes what had to be done. I will briefly comment on each song to give you an idea of the range. "Bad Vibrations," a would-be slogan for the band's earlier work, starts with their familiar distorted guitar on top of a heavy beat, but it races towards a livelier end than usual. "Haunting at 1300 McKinley" continues this approach, but "Yellow Elevator #2" mixes a Clinic-like vocal processing with stacked and interwoven voices to add layers to what in the past has been the same intonations from a single throat. It works well to vary this style, which as the song goes on reminds me of very early Pink Floyd blended into "Dark Side of the Moon"'s title track: the song definitely evokes this period.
"Sunday Afternoon" opens with perhaps an electric jug like their Austin, Texas, predecessors 13th Floor Elevators used; this tune also recalls "Nuggets"-era garage rock. "River of Blood" returns to their signature sound with a war theme but it hurries up the pace also as it progresses. "Entrance Song" continues a tribal beat.
"Phosphene Dream" as the title track alters the tone and moves to a thicker, clotted production that recalls Echo and the Bunnymen with its chiming keyboards. "True Believers" adds a folksy, artsy twist that hints of Clinic and Elf Power in an experimental take on indie ambitions that filter older melodies into lo-fi studio atmospheres.
"Telephone" dramatically departs for a peppy song that could be the Beatles circa 1964. "The Sniper" ends it all with a guitar rock-based song that's rather straightforward by the band's standards, and somehow the guitar riff and delivery suggests an epic passage of the first or second Led Zeppelin albums. So, you can hear how varied this record is, as it draws upon a lot of 60s' inspired psychedelic influences. Like the best interpreters today, rather than imitate this creative period, The Black Angels filter and play and alter it into their own reality.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love Black Angels
Not personally a good music critic. I love Black Angels twangy "psychedelic" sound, the multiple levels of background, and original , understandable lyrics.
Published 3 days ago by James_T
5.0 out of 5 stars
These guys are great
I just found out about this band and I must say I can't get enough. The new album is good too. I will probably buy some of the older ones real soon. Rock on Austin Tx.
Published 3 days ago by Lucas Cross
3.0 out of 5 stars
Meh
DEF not their strongest effort, unlike the first two albums just nothing really catchy or memorable here. Read more
Published 27 days ago by James M. Bailey
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love this band!
I've really been enjoying The Black Angels. I just found out about this band and I can't get enough. Great album!
Published 3 months ago by Erin C.
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Black Angels - Phosphene Dream
Psychedelic Music will forever be linked to the Summer of Love, Hippies, Sgt. Pepper, and all things bright and shiny ... Read more
Published 5 months ago by R. Kesler
3.0 out of 5 stars
OK at best
The album is mediocre. No where near as good as 'Directions To See A Ghost'. Much better stuff out there.
Published 13 months ago by Jalilly
5.0 out of 5 stars
best psychedelic band ever - "the future of rock and roll"
Straight from Austin. A lot of people want to shove these guys back to the 60s but they're actually on their way to 2060 and are sure to arrive their musically before anybody else. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Scott Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars
"God sent" to Rock and Roll
This album blew me away during the first listen. Just when you think rock and roll bands have covered the entire spectrum of different sounds and styles, Boom! Read more
Published 17 months ago by Southpaw88
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but not the Angels I know
Their previous albums were mostly droning insane masterpieces that you could blow anyone's mind at any given time. Read more
Published 21 months ago by J. Kopf
5.0 out of 5 stars
Whatever your mood.
I not one to compare music styles and genres, but to me The Black Angels cross over several. Their music can be listened to over and over and depending on your mood you will get... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Norman Crawford
