Sondre Lerche - Phantom Punch

It’s good to have Sondre Lerche back. Personally I couldn’t get into his last “Duper Sessions” album. It ventured a little too close to Bublé territory for me. But the new CD, “Phantom Punch” in a word, rocks. Good ole fashioned pop rock in the vein of Jason Falkner or Elvis Costello, which, if you’ve been following my blog at all, I’m a sucker for every time. Now, of course, Sondre will never be auditioning for the new lead singer of Van Halen or anything, but that’s what makes this CD a good listen. He rocks in a reasonable Sondre-way. “Say It All” for example, has a McCartney-esque chorus that has all the hooks in all the right places. The first half of the title track sounds like something off of Costello’s “Blood And Chocolate”, and then explodes into a disco-lite vibe that sounds very 70’s. The opening track, “Airport Taxi Reception”, is as syrupy-sweet as a rock song can be, but it’s so dang catchy. Ultimately, at the risk of repeating myself, the Jason Falkner reference is by far the most accurate comparison. If you like Falkner, you’ll like this album. It’s the album he never recorded. Which means that the album may lack originality, but who cares? It’s fun, it’s addictive and it …um…rocks!

Sondre Lerche is at The Mod Club on Monday April 2nd. Tix are $16.50.

Download:
Airport Taxi Reception mp3
John Let Me Go mp3

You can also hear the songs “Phantom Punch” and “Say It All” on his media page.
Sondre Lerche on myspace
Purchase “Phantom Punch” at amazon.ca