The Phantom Band are a six piece outfit from Glasgow, with a wide range of influences and one thing in common, they all like it on the dark side. Paul Savage formerly of The Delgados has done a big production job on “Checkmate Savage”, opening with the excellent current single “The Howling”, which somehow manages to go a little bit Talking Heads meets Nick Cave meets Hot Chip over a bottle of Sailor Jerry’s. Then the strung out rolling toms of “Burial Sounds” are up next, building and layering into a psychedelic wig out of the highest order, think Death In Vegas, Iggy Pop and Red Snapper all completely off their tits but somehow holding it together and delivering the goods. And that’s just for starters. “Checkmate Savage” pushes and pulls in all directions as it hits the spot, I think you’ll be hard pushed to find a better debut LP in 2009. The Phantom Band are most definitely on the up.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Dean Thatcher
