Acceptance
Phantoms

Have you ever gotten a CD that’s so good that it becomes boring after about the fourth track? I had this problem with Jimmy Eat World’s latest CD Futures. And then it struck again with Acceptance’s major label debut, Phantoms. I didn’t get it. I had listened to the tracks on Acceptance’s PureVOLUME site and liked them but then I put the disc in and would fall asleep. And that’s when I discovered ”levels” and the power of iPod’s shuffle feature. There’s a phrase that goes something like: “Only from the lowest low can you reach the highest high.” and this is true of music as it is in movies and books. Sometimes you’ll notice in movies where a very dramatic scene is precluded by a comic scene. This is done so that the dramatic is that much more dramatic in comparison. CD’s need to have the same alternating levels. Sometimes, though, a band has crafted a group of songs that are all on the same level (this can be a description of song quality or styles) and they all end up on the same CD. Phantoms is a great CD. The lyrics are great, the vocals are great, the guitars are great, the rhythm section is great. Unfortunately with the first song the listener is elevated to a specific level, which I will call “high”, and song after song is held at that level. Sounds super, right? Unfortunately that level then becomes the norm and by about halfway through the CD it becomes boring. Don’t think that this is a bad review it’s just the opposite, and we’re getting to that now. I discovered, pretty much by mistake, that by putting the tracks on my iPod and shuffling them among other songs, that the Acceptance songs are incredible. With clean, hard rock guitar power chords and complex, tight drumming Acceptance sets the stage for striking, contrasting smooth vocals. Acceptance thankfully sidesteps the current screamo fad that seems to be sweeping the nation and opts instead for beautifully melodic backing vocals. My one hope is that on their next disc they are allowed to take more chances. This is a quality rock album that should definitely find a place in your listening schedule, on shuffle of course.
Reviewed by Nathan Wrann