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Phantom Engine – “Involuntary Hold”

April 27, 2023

“Involuntary Hold” is a track from the band Phantom Engine. As per their Facebook bio: “Phantom Engine is an artistic collaboration company founded by two brothers. All servants, no masters.” This vague vibe matches well with “Involuntary Hold,” as their downbeat melody, with strong post production layering, carries a haunting vibe; a la Zero 7, early Linkin Park (minus ALL the nu-metal vibes), or Adore-era Smashing Pumpkins (strange mix, but trust me!). A near constant electric drum beat keeps a hold over over over the subdued piano track which finally gives way to sliding guitars toward the end of the song. It’s an interesting juxtaposition that will make you want to listen again and again to see if they were there the whole time – pro tip, they are/were. Check out “Involuntary Hold” and the rest of Phantom Engine’s catalogue over on Spotify. If you want to learn more about[...]

Why Do We Care What The Critics Think? (I’ll Tell You)

April 28, 2014

It’s August 2006, I’m hanging around the no-longer-in-existence FYE on Transit & Wehrle, next to the Imax Theater.  I pick up the new issue of Spin, immediately flip to the reviews section, and I’m dejected to notice that Tom Petty’s Highway Companion had only received two stars.  I resisted the urge to hurl the magazine across the room, but I was decidedly unhappy. How could the be so down on my favorite artist ever? But more importantly, why did I give a fuck? It’s the question that fans, musicians, and probably even other critics have contemplated for decades: why do we care what the critics think? If we derive joy from an album, should we really be losing sleep over whether or not some freelancer from Rolling Stone thought it wasn’t any good? Ideally, no, but we care anyways. Because as music fans, we feel an intrinsic need to have our[...]