Phantom Moon is the third album by American singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik. It was released on Nonesuch Records in 2001.

Phantom Moon
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 27, 2001
Length53:49
LabelNonesuch
ProducerDuncan Sheik
Duncan Sheik chronology
Humming
(1998)
Phantom Moon
(2001)
Daylight
(2002)
Singles from Phantom Moon
  1. "A Mirror in the Heart"
    Released: 2001
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Entertainment WeeklyB[2]
People(favorable)[3]
PopMatters[4][5]
The Portland Phoenix[6]
Q[7]
Rolling Stone[8]
USA Today[9]
Wall of Sound(64/100)[10]

Recording edit

The album was a collaboration between Sheik and poet/playwright Steven Sater, who wrote the lyrics for the album. Phantom Moon is considered a tribute of sorts to Nick Drake and his album Pink Moon. The album features contributions from the London Session Orchestra, and from guitarist Bill Frisell. In addition, percussion is very spare, which helped create a mood of contemplation and spirituality that supports the lyrical content.

Release edit

The album was met with little commercial success, but favorable reviews. Review aggregating website Metacritic reports a normalized score of 76% based on 7 reviews.[5] According to Allmusic, Phantom Moon is "easily Sheik's strongest, and most mature record to date". Rolling Stone wrote that the album "casts a lovely, languid shadow", while The New York Times wrote that it is "an album of moods to set you drifting and dreaming".[11] Entertainment Weekly noted the album's "intimate lamentations", adding, "with one's feet up and headphones on, the strings suddenly shimmer, and the warm vocals soothe".[2]

Track listing edit

All songs written by Steven Sater & Duncan Sheik.

  1. "The Wilderness" (Prelude) – 1:24
  2. "Longing Town" – 3:27
  3. "Mr. Chess" – 2:38
  4. "The Winds That Blow" – 3:04
  5. "Mouth on Fire" – 5:37
  6. "Sad Stephen's Song" – 6:28
  7. "Time and Good Fortune" – 4:43
  8. "Far Away" – 4:32
  9. "This Is How My Heart Heard" – 4:13
  10. "A Mirror in the Heart" – 4:08
  11. "Lo and Behold" – 5:13
  12. "Requiescat" – 3:58
  13. "The Wilderness" – 4:24

References edit

  1. ^ Jurek, Thom (February 27, 2001). "Phantom Moon – Duncan Sheik". Allmusic. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  2. ^ a b Beth Johnson (March 2, 2001). "Album Review: 'Phantom Moon' Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  3. ^ Alec Foege; Ralph Novak (March 12, 2001). "Picks and Pans Review: Phantom Moon". People. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  4. ^ Eden Miller (February 26, 2001). "Duncan Sheik: Phantom Moon". PopMatters. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Critic Reviews for Phantom Moon". Metacritic. February 27, 2001. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  6. ^ Mikael Wood (March 15–22, 2001). "Duncan Sheik: PHANTOM MOON (Nonesuch)". The Portland Phoenix. Archived from the original on August 20, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  7. ^ "Duncan Sheik – Phantom Moon CD Album". CD Universe. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  8. ^ Barry Walters (February 5, 2001). "Duncan Sheik: Phantom Moon : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  9. ^ Edna Gundersen (March 6, 2001). "Eve's tempting rap stings; Sheik's artsy pop doesn't (Duncan Sheik, Phantom Moon)". USA Today. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  10. ^ Kurt B. Reighly (2001). "Wall of Sound Review: Phantom Moon". Wall of Sound. Archived from the original on March 3, 2001. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  11. ^ "MUSIC; A Throwback To the Poets Of Melancholy – New York Times". The New York Times. March 11, 2001. Retrieved September 20, 2012.