Ceremony is the latest album from the duo, Phantogram. Released on 3/6/2020. I'm relatively new to the Phantogram duo. I knew the song You Don't Get Me High Anymore from the Tree Days Grace Cover. A boss of mine then showed me Fall in Love, and I was hooked. I loved the laid back vocals with the harder than norm electronica music. Scrolling through my youtube feed I saw they suddenly just did an upload dump of songs and thought (Wait there's a new album) and bada bing, bada boom, lets review
(Intro Vid)
Dear God
If there was a song that screamed "Mall Montage" to me, this would be it. Robin Sparkles would be so proud. Otherwise, this song really isn't much sing about. Actually, The main musical melody kind of reminds of XXplosive from Dr. Dre...T
In A Spiral
Sexy spy sounding Guitar here. Were as Dear God sounded like a Mall montage this one sounds like it would be a montage in a Michael Bay movie where the main characters are at a strip club. Wasn't really feeling this one either, but to its credit the last minute is pretty solid
Into Happiness
I'm liking this one. More atmospheric here, somewhat reminding me of the Sucker Punch Soundtrack, which is criminally underrated I'll have you know. Song is about what you would expect, ending your loneliness and jumping into happiness, wanting to bring the one you love there with you. Good song
Pedestal
Wanting someone to open up to you, so that you can help them heal. But that person is trying their dammedist to resist. This one sounds good as well, more along the lines I was sort of expecting. Sarah's performance here is also the best so far on this album. Solid song with very relatable lyrics
Love Me Now
Jiving with this one nicely as well. I think we are turning things around, because I was getting a little worried. From what I get, it seems she is singing about love me how I am now, not how you want me to be. Oh what's this, a solo? Simple but fits the music like a glove.
Let Me Down
Oh that's a pretty dope synth line going on through here. Sarah also turns it up here a bit. Slows down towards the end and it turns on the heavy, again, another overall solid song
News Today
This song is super short at under 2 minutes. Just sort of an atmospheric transition song here, its cool, but also a little funky to figure out what the hell is going on
Mister Impossible
Kind of an old school 40's music sound in the intro, before the beat kicks in. We have another duet goin on here, and it sounds somewhat spoopy in the chorus. This song kind of encapsulates how I feel about the entire album. I Like it but something just isn't really gelling right, and I can't really put my finger on it
Glowing
Going to the softer side with this one. It sounds pretty. Wanting the time to pass you by, but the time keeps a goin. Sarah really shows here what she is capable of, showing real emotion in her words. Beautiful song.
Gaunt Kids
I'm getting hints of enigma in this, maybe more than hints actually. Song keeps that going till the final 50 seconds or so, and totally changes styles and sadly loses me there. I was enjoying the somewhat weird vibes going on but then going back to a traditional sound ended that. boooo
Ceremony
Title track time. Ending it with a down to earth, sort of electronica Jazz song, extremely chill. Probably second favorite song here that I can easily see myself revisiting, especially when I'm just trying to relax. It does crank it up in the second half however but really not enough to take you out of the zone so to say. It creates a nice crescendo that properly closes out the album
Overall, I didn't really feel this one. I think it was missing that one song that really sticks out above the rest, that seems like it is single worthy ya know. Like an album full of filler tracks left over, but good album filler. Vocal wise its some of the best from Sarah, but where it is lacking I feel is the music, other than spots that shine its a little run the mill. I keep running back and forth and I keep ending up at the unfortunate truth that this album is just, Meh
Thank you for checking out my review of Ceremony, comment below any albums you think I could check out, I'll check em out. While youre down there, go ahead and drop me one of these *snap it would be greatly appreciated. Click up here to check out my album rankings for Megadeth , Click up here to check out what big brother wants for you, click here if you'd so kind as to subscribe, and ring that bell to be notified of my future videos. 'till then, names David, but you can call me Fenrirock
Comments