Phantogram

Eyelid Movies

(Barsuk)

Record Review by Kevan Peterson

Using stripped down electro beats and dream infused vocals on their debut, Eyelid Movies, Phantogram manages to sculpt an atmospheric album that is anything but an illusion.  Turning in one solid track after another, the album opens with their first single “Mouthful of Diamonds,” which sets the tone nicely.  Follow-up track “When I’m Small” steals the show, however, with its simple chorus and instrumentation. 

Sarah Barthel, one half of Phantogram, is the main reason to tune in to this particular dreamscape.  When guitarist Josh Carter takes the reins on vocals with such tracks as “Turn it Off” and “Running From the Cops,” the results are a little less stellar.  It’s not that the tunes aren’t solid; it’s just that while Barthel stands her ground firmly next to such indie darlings as Bat for Lashes and Feist, Carter’s vocals seem a bit more commonplace.  During the second half of the album, tracks such as “You Are The Ocean” and “Futuristic Casket” feature Carter in a better light.

Relying largely on atmospheric overlays and synthetic beats Phantogram manages to create an album that feels fresher then it should given the ingredients on the label.  Closing tune “10,000 Claps” sways the listener to sleep with sparse piano and layered vocals, where one may close their eyes and dream their own Eyelid Movies.