Posted on 06/29/2009
Listening to The Phenomenal Handclap Band's self-titled debut is like listening to an explosion of greatest hits from some of the music industry's most celebrated pop, disco and rock-n-roll luminaries, except this group has an uncanny ability to emulate what others have done and make it sound fresh. That's not to say the PHB copycats industry legends. Rather, this band successfully incorporates the intricacies of musical yesteryear to mold its own sound, each song with multiple layers that are guaranteed to make listeners move to the rhythm, or clap their hands vigorously in appreciation of the group's pure virtuosity.

While The Phenomenal Handclap Band is comprised of several musicians from Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, the group was conceptualized by underground DJs Daniel Collás and Sean Marquand, both of whom had grown tired of playing the music of other artists and wanted to create their own product. After several variations of band members, Collás and Marquand are now joined by Bing Ji Ling and Luke O'Malley on guitars, Laura Marin and Joan Tick on percussion, Nicholas Movshon and Pier Pappalardo on bass, and Patrick Wood on drums. Members of L'Trimm, TV on the Radio, Si Se, Calla, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Mooney Suzuki all make guest appearances on the PHB debut.

On the eclectic The Phenomenal Handclap Band, the group takes listeners on a vast journey through its diverse world. For instance, on the album's 6-minute opening track, "The Journey To Serra Da Estrala," the tempo begins methodically before it explodes into a brief and energetic rock-n-roll number, which then transitions into full-blown disco for the remainder of the song. The disco theme continues on the very next track,"All Of The Above," with its pulsating drums and hard-charging guitar. "You'll Disappear," quite possibly the album's centerpiece, is new age funk and breakbeat as the voice of Carol C, a vocalist and DJ in New York's underground scene, blends perfectly with the thumping percussion. This album never wanes, and by the recording's epic last track, the 9-minute "The Circle Is Broken," listeners are treated to a thorough morsel of psychedelic rock before the group finally drops them off.

The Phenomenal Handclap Band is a breath of fresh air in a somewhat stale musical landscape. While some artists have turned to auto-tune to get their points across, the PHB grabs attention through originality and the courage to embrace alternative left-of-center. This album is perfect for a house or block party, but also can be used as an educational tool for up-and-coming musicians looking to study nuance in song. With the group's multi-faceted approach to music, punctuated by its multicultural influence, the name Phenomenal Handclap Band fits perfectly.

- Marcus Moore