2011-03-04
Will Phalen is a Milwaukee transplant to the gold coast of Chicago. Although he is frontman for The Stereo Addicts, Holy Ghost Gold Coast is his solo effort in folk and is self-described as cosmic American music. He enjoyed recording this album at home within the quiet confines that apartment living demands. He feels limitation breeds creativity. The first song “Candycane Mountain in My Mind” offers up simple acoustic picking with background synthesizer that lends a bit of an ethereal mood. “Suddenly” is an upbeat tune with keyboard synth and harmonica elements added for interest. In “Morning Will Come” Phalen is not always completely on pitch but this song is “ear” catching along with breathy voice modulation. The title track shows Phalen’s flawless guitar picking, and along with harmonica, is a soothing end. Recommended tracks: 1-3-4-8-10. Pam VandeKerkhoffAmy Rigby
Little Fugitive
DAR WILLIAMS
Promised Land
BON IVER
For Emma, Forever Ago
LAST GOOD TOOTH
Not Without Work and Rest
Whitney Rose
South Texas Suite
Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band
The Rarity Of Experience Disks 1 & 2
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.