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

    LARA EWEN AND THE UNSTRUNG ORCHESTRA
    Ghosts and Gasoline

  • reviewed 09/2008

    VARIOUS
    To Spirit Back the Mews: An Asthmatic Kitty Compilation

  • reviewed 02/2010

    JOY KILLS SORROW
    Darkness Sure Becomes This City

  • reviewed 05/2007

    RENEE STAHL
    Hopeful Romantic

  • reviewed 10/2007

    Neil Young
    Chrome Dreams ll

  • reviewed 04/2004

    Darden Smith
    Circo

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.