WILL PHALEN

Holy Ghost Gold Coast

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 VandeKerkhoff

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 09/2007

    Various Artists - Produced by Jesse Harris
    The Hottest State

  • reviewed 11/2015

    Sam Morrow
    There Is No Map

  • reviewed 08/2016

    Lee Bob & The Truth
    The Light LP

  • reviewed 02/2009

    FRIGHTENED RABBIT
    The Midnight Organ Fight

  • reviewed 09/2008

    VARIOUS
    To Spirit Back the Mews: An Asthmatic Kitty Compilation

  • reviewed 05/2009

    WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS
    The Sparrow and the Crow

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

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.