Super Furry Animals and their Phantom Powernessicity

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Someone tell me why I should not love this band.

― Spinktor the Unmerciful, Tuesday, 12 August 2003 00:39 (twenty-two years ago)

I can't answer that -- in a completely innocent sense, they're everything that's wonderful about pop music.

― Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 00:50 (twenty-two years ago)

I really must get the album. I have the mp3s but you know, higher allegiances, etc.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 01:08 (twenty-two years ago)

i still have only heard the album once
i really want it to make up for the disappointment that was rings around the world
from what i've heard (a few mp3s,and as i said the album once) it sounds good,i'll have to get into it properly though

― robin (robin), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 01:12 (twenty-two years ago)

There is absolutely no reason not to love this band. "Phantom Power" is their best yet.

― Simon H., Tuesday, 12 August 2003 01:13 (twenty-two years ago)

I dont know what to say about it really, i think its great. Im sort of confused as to where they are going with the whole 'Venus and Serena' turtle thing. But thats alright. And this was supposed to have more ominous and downbeat views on the future than the previous Rings Around the World. I dont see it. But, eh. Thats what i get for trying to analyze an album after a couple too many beers.

― Spinktor the Unmerciful, Tuesday, 12 August 2003 01:14 (twenty-two years ago)

I've got the new one on order at the local recorded music boutique but it hasn't arrived yet. Everything I've read about the album points to it becoming a valued part of my collection.
And then when all the Tragically Hip fans at work ask me if I have Phantom Power, I can truthfully answer yes.

― Bruce Urquhart (Bruce Urquhart), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 01:29 (twenty-two years ago)

'venus and sere-
na' is not about turtles
(liner notes lie);

it is similar
to 'hermann loves pauline' off
of radiator

this is one of my
two favorite records now
in 2003

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 04:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Am I the only person who thinks this is the worst SFA album so far? Half of the songs just don't seem to work, they sound laboured, which the Furries never really did before.

Venus and Serena and Liberty Belle are up there as two of my favourite tracks of the year, mind.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 07:20 (twenty-two years ago)

there's a lot i love about the furries, but they generally get the balance wrong over the course of each album. this one does it quite well, though, it's their second best (after Radiator). It sounds like a Super Furry Animals Record.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 12:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Anyone got their hands on the DVD yet? It was supposed to be released the same day as the album.

SFA and Grandaddy are touring the US together (co-headlining, if I'm not mistaken).

18/09: The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
19/09: Henry Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
20/09: 4th & B Theater, San Diego, CA
21/09: Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ
23/09: Gypsy Tea Room, Dallas, TX
24/09: Numbers, Houston, TX
27/09: House of Blues, New Orleans, LA
29/09: Roxy Theatre, Atlanta, GA
30/09: Headliners Music Hall, Louisville, KY
02/10: 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
03/10: Irving Plaza, New York City, NY
04/10: Irving Plaza, New York City, NY

― turkey (turkey), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 14:12 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm indifferent to Grandaddy and frankly, much as I love SFA, they simply have never been more than dully competent live. So many lively and fun songs and they can never put any spark in their performance to match them from all the times I've seen them, it's really a shame. They need to pull a Steely Dan/XTC and forget the live stuff entirely.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 14:51 (twenty-two years ago)

I really really want to hear the Venus And Serena song, because I love Venus Williams anyway. Super Furries are one of those bands I really should be more arsed about as I've liked everything I've heard, but obviously not enough to possess anything of theirs.

I assume that Liberty Belle is nothing to do with the Katastrophy Wife single of the same name?

― The Lex (The Lex), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:32 (twenty-two years ago)

ned-i've seen some fairly mediocre sfa shows,but i've also seen them play some absolutely amazing gigs that do justice to their albums and more-might be worth giving them another chance...

― robin (robin), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 17:48 (twenty-two years ago)

I skimmed through the album at the local store and passed on it for now, and will plan to get it used.

Yeah, SFA have always had the ELO/10cc love going on, but now it seems like they've lost the sense of humor and adventure that surrounded it. That said, there are some great songs on this.. Then again Mercury Rev's "All is Dream" had a few ace songs as wells, but it was still a nauseously overblown record, as is "Phantom Power". I don't mind more harmonic dirgey SFA, but this record seems to be all molasses and nothing else.

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 18:59 (twenty-two years ago)

argh but it's not true,
good old buddy donut bitch--
deep fun lurks within!

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 19:13 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm still not sure about Phantom..., there seems to be something lacking. From a distance all the ingredients are in the right place, but up close... I enjoy it when I'm listening to it, but I have little to no desire to listen to it when i'm not listening to it. Radiator is a wonderful record, and Guerilla may even be better, Mwyng I've (to my shame) never really given enough time to (not cos it's Welsh - cos it's got less techno frippery), but Rings... I thought was largely rubbish, overly mature, pedestrian, trying too hard. Maybe given time Phantom... will unveil itself as something special, but the invigorating lunacy and try-anything-joyfullness that typified them, and was what I loved about them, seems to have mellowed.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 20:48 (twenty-two years ago)

I like Rings and I don't care who knows it. Haterism suxxx.

― Nate Patrin (Nate Patrin), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 22:41 (twenty-two years ago)

i love the record. i was not into rings' dirges at all but this one is breezy and lazy and rather pleasant. the songs don't seemed politically forced and the lyrics are much improved and less self-consciously relevant. they were a mess live, they really need to ditch all the recorded bits and just rock out.

― keith (keithmcl), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 22:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, see ,I loved "Rings..". With "Phantom Power", it sounds like SFA were replaced with exact replicas... if that makes sense. All of the traits are there, but there's something... off, not quite connecting in the way I'm used to.

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 23:26 (twenty-two years ago)

I'll admit, right now just to get it over with, that this will be my favorite SFA album next year.

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 23:27 (twenty-two years ago)

I thought Phantom Power was pretty neat in an "I have just finished listening obsessively to my '72 mix and this is a neat transition" way. I agree that the humor is missing somewhat and that this seems more of a culmination mixed with a hint of specific California-ish atmosphere to it (and that's a record 'cuz-a' Mario), but there's neat clever hints in it (apparently "Father Father" uses a DADDAD chord... har!). Should be one of those repeated-listens things. And I really want to see the DVD.

― Nate Patrin (Nate Patrin), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 00:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I've read some VERY dismissive reviews of the DVD from longtime fans. Apparently the visuals are mostly slow going wallpaper? I was all excited when I heard that it was essentially mostly being done by Pete Fowler but if there's nothing truly remarkable about it I'll stick with the album as such.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 02:10 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...

So I finally got round to listening to this - I'm halfway through - and good god it's dull. As expected I love 'Venus And Serena', but even then I'm not sure whether that's just me being excited that there's a TENNIS REFERENCE in POP MUSIC, thus bringing together my two loves. On balance I think not, because it has a tune and some oomph and doesn't seem to be completely fixated on creating that BORING BORING 1960s California feel which every schmindie band has aped for the past forever.

But everything else is just meh so far... oh hang on, 'Out Of Control' has just begun and seems promisingly fun. Does this album get any better? Was I right not to have bothered with this band all along?

― The Lex (The Lex), Wednesday, 17 September 2003 18:07 (twenty-two years ago)

i just still love it
it's a headphone album though,
all that subtle swirl

best to take a walk,
just you, sidewalk, SFA
and then you'll get it

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Wednesday, 17 September 2003 20:41 (twenty-two years ago)

three months pass...

How can someone not love this cd? Not 10 for me this year.

― Jim Reckling (Jim Reckling), Thursday, 18 December 2003 01:07 (twenty-two years ago)

"Phantom Power" was easily the best CD released by anybody in 2003.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Thursday, 18 December 2003 01:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Meant Top 10 btw, typing not my forte.

― Jim Reckling (Jim Reckling), Thursday, 18 December 2003 01:25 (twenty-two years ago)

second best, geir h.,
but you would not like my pick
for the best, so yeah

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Thursday, 18 December 2003 01:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Am I the only person who thinks this is the worst SFA album so far

Sorry to hate, but Matt DC OTM.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 18 December 2003 02:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Worse than Rings? I only have the last 2 but I much prefer Phantom to Rings.

― Jim Reckling (Jim Reckling), Thursday, 18 December 2003 02:49 (twenty-two years ago)

I like three or four songs on Rings, only one or two on Phantom Power,

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 18 December 2003 02:50 (twenty-two years ago)

then, @d@m my friend,
you are indeed a hata.
get off of the train.

phantom power is
not some shiny singles comp,
don't be Procrustes!

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Thursday, 18 December 2003 04:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Shit, I like Rings in its entirety and I could only muster a fair amount of enthusiasm for Phantom Power -- I dug their attempts at the whole Cali-'70s sound, and SFA + steel guitars = Happy Nate, but their lyrical concepts seemed a lot shakier than previous albums.

― nate detritus (natedetritus), Thursday, 18 December 2003 04:32 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Rings is cute,
like a remote-controlled car,
or a tiara.

But Phantom Power
is more like a love note from
some future girlfriend

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Thursday, 18 December 2003 05:42 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...

I just got the 'Hello Sunshine' 7" single with 'Cowbird' as the b-side. I really like what they did on that track...wouldnt mind hearing more like it.

― El Spinktor (El Spinktor), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 20:31 (twenty-two years ago)

These guys have never made a bad album anyway.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 21:34 (twenty-two years ago)

I'll admit, right now just to get it over with, that this will be my favorite SFA album next year.

Well, it's early in the year, but I gave it another shot, and "Phantom Power" just bores me to death. My self-prediction: Strike 1!

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 22:48 (twenty-two years ago)

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