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 01/2004

    Eddi Reader
    Sings the Songs of Robert Burns

  • reviewed 04/2016

    Radical Face
    The Family Tree: The Leaves

  • reviewed 01/2007

    ERIN MCKEOWN
    Sing You Sinners, 2007

  • reviewed 08/2006

    Greg Brown
    The Evening Call

  • reviewed 04/2008

    Billy Bragg
    Mr. Love & Justice

  • reviewed 05/2009

    KATIE MELUA
    Pictures

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.