Richmond - After many, many months of erratic, late-night sessions and insanity-provoking fine-tuning, Make Phantoms have emerged triumphant at the finish line of the recording process.  And on the night of their album-release celebration show at the Camel, they are already planning their next move.  “We’ve got loads more songs…probably two albums’ worth,” says keys player and vocalist Barth Wooster.  “We’ve gotten into a rhythm with recording.  The next one should take half the time of the first.”  But before they make any moves towards album number two, the band is imposing a month of mandatory rest.  A self-described perfectionist, Mortimer Skarsgaard (guitar, vocals, ProTools guru) literally worked himself to the point of sickness, having just finished the album at 5 P.M. on the day of the show - a labor of love indeed.

Upon the first listen, one immediately recognizes both the labor and the love that went into creating this record.  The production is impeccable, and the fact that the songs were recorded in a shed that doubles as a storage space makes this achievement even more impressive.  From the opening chords of “Molasses, IN” to the closing shimmers of “Roadways,” Make Phantoms create a warm, lush, and inviting world for their listeners – melancholy yet hopeful, wistful but never whiny.  Standout tracks include, well, just about everything, as there is not an ounce of filler to be found in its twelve tracks.  A bit of a harder-rocking side is featured on “HEAT!” – potentially a sign of things to come in future releases.  “Come-Around Kids” displays some of the album’s most stunning vocal harmonies, as well as Barth’s knack for timely vocal phrasing.  Drummer Alisander Borealis adds complementary texture to songs like “The Dark Way,” in which he rarely even touches a snare, as well as driving the dynamics in “Pachelbel’s Cannonball” while never overplaying.  The album shows such cohesive vision from start to finish that it’s hard to believe it’s just a debut and not the product of road-wearied veterans.

Make Phantoms have never had the desire to be live band, but instead choose to focus their energy in the recording studio (or shed).  Having said that, their layered, recorded arrangements translated extremely well at their show at the Camel.  The live renditions speak for themselves despite their lack of road-testing.  Their vocal harmonies are spot on despite Mortimer’s exhaustion sickness, and Barth’s prowess on the keys is made all the more evident when witnessed firsthand (I believe “mesmerizing” was the word my photographer used).  Make Phantoms also recruited Starkweather Chistery on bass to round out their live lineup.  However, their true live weapon is Alisander, whose drum flourishes added tremendous color and dynamics to these songs in the live setting.  As live and recorded music are two very different animals, his push and pull with the piano lines gave new life to the already moving arrangements in a way that is not immediately evident in the recordings. 

In addition to playing through all but three songs from their album, the band also threw in some new material that will most likely be seen on their next record.  Midway through the set, Barth and Mortimer played three new songs as a piano and guitar duo.  Just as it was illuminating to hear their complex arrangements in a live setting, it was equally interesting to hear the stage at which those arrangements began.  In the stripped-down, “unplugged” context, the band’s gift for melody truly comes to the forefront, illustrating the caliber of these songs even before they get the royal ProTools treatment from Mortimer.

Hard copies of Make Phantoms will be available for purchase through their website within the next two weeks.  In the mean time, eager listeners can download a digital copy through a number of retailers including, but not limited to: iTunes, Napster, Amazon, MySpaceMusic, eMusic, Shockhound, Amie Street, and Zune.   

Make Phantoms Make Album: Part I

By Editor-In-Chief and Correspondent: Andrew Lutwin

Andrew is originally from Boston, but has spent equal time in Richmond and considers both home.  He graduated VCU with a B.A. in English and looks forward to seeing if his degree will be worth a damn.  While attending Northeastern University, Andrew began covering music for the Zig-Zag Live website and tour campaign, which won him the undying affection of Bostonians because of his access to free rolling papers.  He is fortunate enough to have parents with great taste in music and owes much of his musical sensibilities to them.  Some of his favorites include the Beatles, the Clash, My Morning Jacket, Mastodon, Mission of Burma, all 70s R&B, and anything that can be considered "outlaw."  Other hobbies include food, guitar, whiskey, hiking, Boston sports, and maintaining his beginner-level fish tank.