POSTS BY: PhantasmoApril 27th, 2006 by Phantasmo The return of Dulli
The second track, ‘I’m Ready’ evokes memories of Gentlemen-era Whigs, while the slow, piano-laced ‘Candy Cane Crawl’ sounds like Dulli’s seducing your girlfriend right in front of you…yet, you still want to hang out with the son of a bitch. ‘My Time (Has Come)’ has the feel of a breezy night drive in L.A. and ‘Conversation’ is the epitome of a Dulli slow-jam, played in a smoke-filled dive bar with an empty glass of scotch resting on the piano. A welcome return to the genius that is Fat Greg Dulli, Powder Burns has it all, and then some. So get some. April 20th, 2006 by Phantasmo 10,000 Days: ultimate prog-metal experience
However, I have to admit that I like Tool a lot, but I don’t love them. I saw them on the Lateralus tour and actually left halfway through the show because, well, I was just bored… or maybe it’s because the screen visuals were sending subliminal messages telling me to kill my wife. I just wasn’t into standing around listening to a 13-minute tribal jam with hardly any vocals. I completely respect them as artists and musicians and have a huge appreciation for their music and ideas, but I think my main problem with Tool is that the songs are sometimes just too damn long. Maybe it’s because they’re maturing as a band and don’t feel the need to cater to modern-rock radio fans of Trapt and Earshot, which is fine with me, but sometimes I’d just like to hear a cut-and-dry 4 minute heavy metal song, not an 11-minute prog-rock opus. Kill the ambient jams and throw me a radio-friendly bone once in a while. I know that I don’t want to be the one to ask them that, though. I can deal with the jams as long as they continue putting out material. Bottom line: 10,000 Days is a solid piece of prog-metal that definitely delivers. When Tool wanna throw a punch, they know how to connect. When they want to lull you into a nightmare-filled sleep, they know how to do that too. The best part is, they do what they want to do, and they do it well, and with conviction. For what it’s worth, I’ve managed to listen to this album 5 times today, so they must be doing something right. Plus, any band that has a song named after that creepy genie from Pee Wee’s Playhouse totally fucking rules. A-/B+ March 22nd, 2006 by Phantasmo Stupid name. Bad-ass band. Awesome new album.
January 18th, 2006 by Phantasmo The first sign of the apocalypse.
January 12th, 2006 by Phantasmo Tasty treats back east.
If you happen to be in the Baltimore, Maryland area tonight, be sure to check out my boys Andrew Norsworthy and Jared Woods as they rock the house at Dangerously Delicious Pies (yes, that’s a venue and not a Dr. Seuss book). This is the start of their much-anticipated winter tour and it’s a guaranteed good time. If you’re feeling friendly, buy Andrew and Jerod shots of the most potent vodka on hand. They don’t mess around with that Bud Light bullshit, right?!! Break a leg boys. January 10th, 2006 by Phantasmo Love/Hate sensation
OK, I can’t take it anymore. First, the dual-processor G4s are announced weeks after a buy my single processor tower. Then, DAYS after I purchase my 30G iPod, the larger next generation is announced. And now this – the MacBook Pro laptop, which is supposed to be up to 3 times faster than the G5 processor. Why does Apple continue to release the coolest shit of all time?!! I love them, and I hate them. And I want one of these BAD. |
The new Twilight Singers album, Powder Burns, has been digitally released and I can’t shut it off. I guess I’m biased because anything Greg Dulli touches is gold, in my opinion, but honestly, Powder Burns is easily the best thing Dulli has put out since the first Twilight album. Since then, he’s been tweaking his sound ever so gently. Blackberry Belle was a decent, solid album, She Loves You had it’s standout moments and last year’s Amber Headlights signaled the beginning of the return to that classic Whigs sound. On Powder Burns Dulli created the perfect blend of the Whigs’ 1965 with the gentle flourish of the Twilight Singers.
It truly is the end of days, my friends. Religious zealots have been claiming natural disasters and terrorist attacks to be the wrath of God, angry at the world for its current state of unrest, turmoil and hatred. 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s deteriorating health – all of these have been said to be the work of a God upset at the world. I’m a natural skeptic, but now, I believe. I believe that this world as we know it will soon come to an explosive, destructive end. Why, you ask? Because fucking Rick Moranis has just released a country album. Earth – kiss your ass goodbye.
