Ceremony

by Phantogram

Overview

After an album that dove headfirst into the pop mainstream and came up feeling a little empty, Phantogram return to form on 2020's Ceremony. Fueled by personal tragedy (the suicide of vocalist Sarah Barthel's sister) and a desire to break through the darkness they found themselves buried in, the album has an uplifting, empowering feeling. The songs hit like punches from a heavyweight, with solid rhythms, majestic samples, and fully packed arrangements combining to make swirling backgrounds for Barthel to swoop over like a superhero. Her vocals are somehow more dramatic and powerful than before, and where some of the lyrics on their previous album Three didn't always ring true, here almost everything feels ripped from her soul and splattered across the speakers. Barthel sings like her life depends on it, and the big-sounding, emotionally super-sized songs like "In a Spiral" and "Dear God" work as impressive slabs of modern pop and also as an emotional release. The verses pummel and the choruses soar; by the end it's easy to feel a little wrung out in a satisfying way. Paired with these stadium-ready songs are a handful that trade swagger for slink -- "Mister Impossible" rides a booming trip-hop beat and adds nice vocal effects, "Let Me Down" melds dream and synth pop with a side of belted-out soul -- and heartfelt ballads like the title track that pare back the wall of sound in favor of a more considered, less bombastic approach that suits them well. No matter the mood and variation on their sound, Phantogram prove to be strong at crafting memorable modern pop with some weirdness around the edges, this time with some real emotion behind the glittering facade. It's definitely a step back in the right direction after the last album's stumble and stacks up to be their most consistent and enjoyable record to date. ~ Tim Sendra

Product Details

Release Date:	03/06/2020
Label:	Republic
UPC:	0602508255298

Tracks

1. Dear God
2. In a Spiral
3. Into Happiness
4. Pedestal
5. Love Me Now
6. Let Me Down
7. News Today
8. Mister Impossible
9. Glowing
10. Gaunt Kids
11. Ceremony

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Phantogram   Primary Artist
Josh Carter   Vocals
Ilan Rubin   Drums
Sarah Barthel   Vocals
Boots   Guitar,Synthesizer,Guitar,Synthesizer,Bass (Electric)
Dan Wilson   Piano,Bass (Electric)
Morgan Kibby   Piano
Derek Dunivan   Vocals (Background)
Nick Rosen   Bass (Electric)
Stella Mozgawa   Drums
Billy Corgan   Guitar

Technical Credits

V. Jeffrey Smith   Composer
Peter Wade Keusch   Composer
Olafur Arnalds   Composer
Ali Shaheed Muhammad   Composer
Harry Vanda   Composer
Josh Carter   Composer,Producer,Programming,Musical Producer
Sarah Barthel   Composer,Producer
Elizabeth Vago   A&R
Terius Nash   Composer
William Hart   Composer
Joshua Carter   Composer
Loren Oden   Composer
Joe Janiak   Composer
Boots   Composer,Producer,Composer,Producer
Henry Brill   Composer
Amanda Lucille Warner   Composer
William Patrick Corgan   Composer
Matt Jacobson   Engineer,Producer,Recording,Vocal Producer
Terrance Cole   Composer
Karolina Acratz   Composer
Dana Travis Middleton   Composer
Dan Wilson   Composer
Thom Bell   Composer
Ennio Morricone   Composer
John Scott   Composer
Dana Middleton   Composer
Morgan Kibby   Composer
Santiago Salazar   Mixing Assistant
Andrew Dawson   Mixing,Producer
Asa Taccone   Composer
Jimmy Ledrac   Composer
Adrian Younge   Composer
Derek Dunivan   Producer
George Young   Composer
Rob Stevenson   A&R
Kristina Grossmann   A&R
Chris Gehringer   Mastering Engineer