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Product Summary
Format: CD
Manufacturer: TUMMY Touch Records/E1
Buy.com Sku: 228220477
UPC: 881626944424
UPC 14: 00881626944424
Release Date: 2/14/2012
See more in Pop
Song Listing
Disc 1
Song Title
Sample
1. Following ~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band
2. Right One, The ~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band
3. Written Word, The ~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band
4. Unknown Faces at Father James Park, The ~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band
5. Shake ~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band
6. Form & Control ~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band
7. Give ~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band
8. Afterglow ~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band
9. Winter Falls ~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band
10. All Cliches ~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band
11. Mirrors ~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band
12. Attempt, The ~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band
Album Notes and Credits
Notes & Personnel Info |
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Personnel: Bing Ji Ling (vocals, guitar); Daniel Collas (vocals, piano, organ, synthesizer, vibraphone, marimba); Patrick Wood (vocals, drums); Laura Marin (vocals, percussion); Luke O'Malley (guitar, saz, sitar); Sean Marquand (electric piano, Mellotron, synthesizer, vocoder); Michael Johnson , Robert McFarlane , Tim "Love" Lee (synthesizer, mini-Moog synthesizer, programming). |
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Audio Mixers: Sean Marquand; Richard Woodcraft; Daniel Collas. |
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Recording information: All Bright Electric, Brooklyn, NY; Ape School, Philadelphia, PA; Rak Studios, London, England; Studio Dior, NY, NY. |
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Photographer: Douglas Lee . |
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Arrangers: Sean Marquand; Daniel Collas. |
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Push play on the oddly named N.Y.C.-based Phenomenal Handclap Band's sophomore release and be transported back to the early-'80s dance-art-pop glory days of the Human League, OMD, and Heaven 17, among many others. The bass bounces, the knowingly dated synths buzz and whirl, and the male/female vocals sing with icy yet sexy detachment. Real (not synthesized) drums, guitars, and bass slather it all with a refreshingly organic buzz that doesn't seem retro as much as honest and full-bodied, if not exactly emotional. Surprises abound, such as the near-classical solo piano that closes "The Right One." Even though there is no escaping the creeping strains of disco, the songs exude singalong melodies and bubbling bass that, somewhat like Blondie, keeps the tracks vibrant, alive, and lyrically compelling even as the beats encourage dancefloor participation. Bryan Ferry gave the outfit his blessing by having them open his 2011 summer tour and while the music doesn't approximate his cool, artsy romanticism, there are clear parallels to some of his previous work circa Roxy Music's Manifesto as well as a good bit of New Order. But this is more lighthearted, especially because of the two female lead singers and the dry Phil Oakey-style male singer who trade off vocals. There's some Tom Tom Club, too, especially in the bone-dry vocals, but the six-piece is better at mixing funk, art rock, glam, disco, and even experimental tendencies together to form something fresh, lively, yet clearly referenced by the sound and style of 1980-1983 indie dance. The six-piece invited numerous guests to assist on their previous set, but this is more of a cohesive group project and the difference in comfort and synergy between the members is evident. Even some solid rock riffs, such as the one that leads off "Winter Falls," sneak into the band's unusual dynamic. The drumming that helps ground it all is elastic and malleable, making this follow-up a more successful and well-rounded album that seems to be just the beginning of something really good. ~ Hal Horowitz |
Producer: Sean Marquand; Daniel Collas |
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Engineer: Michael Johnson; Sean Marquand; Richard Woodcraft; Tim "Love" Lee; Daniel Collas |
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Compilation Appearances
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F (Bad Data In Title) |
Technical Info
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Release Date : 01/30/2012 |
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Original Release Date : 2012 |
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Catalog ID : TUCH 2035CD |
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Label : Tummy Touch Records (USA) |
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Number of Discs : 1 |
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SPAR Code : n/a |
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UPC : 00881626944424 |
Professional Reviews
Paste (magazine)
- "Every note on FORM & CONTROL, the band's sophomore album, is exactly in tune. Every sound is polished, every instrument immaculately layered."
- "Every note on FORM & CONTROL, the band's sophomore album, is exactly in tune. Every sound is polished, every instrument immaculately layered."
Uncut (magazine)
(p.97)
- 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]here's plenty to admire in PHB's ability to mix and match disparate styles..."
(p.97)
- 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]here's plenty to admire in PHB's ability to mix and match disparate styles..."
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