The first time I ever heard of Phaser was a year or so ago when "Life and Illusion" was played on a radio music channel on my satellite at home. The song sounded very much like The Verve, and since I'm a big Verve fan, I really enjoyed it. It wasn't until a few months ago I decided to get the CD, and though I did think that the album wasn't as good as I expected it to be, this album is still quite strong. The standout tracks on here are "Life and Illusion", "Sway", and "Sweet Marie". The later two being sweetly crafted lubbaly epics that swirl around you. This band definitely has an atomspheric sound to them, with echoed guitars and vocals that seem to get lost in the music. I would definitely compare them to the more earlier work of The Verve.

I haven't bought the CD (yet). I just listened to one of the songs in digital cable (maybe the song was Are you there???) and i was really blown away, just as when I first listened to "Slide away" by The verve( a long time ago). In fact, it seems Phaser had a "A storm in heaven"-ish sound, which is cool. I hope I can see them live in LA soon.

I was invited by a friend to The Earl in Atlanta to see his friend's band from DC.While he referenced some groups to describe the band's sound, I really did not know what to expect. My expectations were fully satisfied. Within minutes of their launch into the second song - I was truely intrigued and found myself listening to every note, stroke and verse with intensity.

This band has intensity but adorns it with a soulful sensitivity that gets under your skin. I listened to The Verve the day after and mid-way through Catching The Butterfly I thought of Life & Illusion. These guys have a deliciuosly, beautiful approach but they are not soft. When they throw down - They throw down.

I am so pleasantly suprised by this new find and can't wait to hear more........

"Sway" may be 10 years too late or distanced far enough from the shoegazer scene to distinguish itself. The composition of each song is excellent, a definite breath of fresh air compared to the "neo-grunge" and "diet punk" that presently dominates the American music scene. The obvious cross-references are Slowdive, Cousteau and softer songs by Oasis, however, most songs have a much more sophisticated structure than most showgazer era efforts. Highly recommended for early 1990s Brit Pop fans.

i bought this album on a whim while i was drunk one night and at first it sounded great (at the music store while i was drunk). the next morning though, the album left me a little....dissapointed. other reviewers had compared them to oasis, radiohead, and sigur ros (huh!!!!). i could see a bit of an oasis influence though, whether that is bad or good you can decide. the tracks i did enjoy (mildly) were ARE YOU THERE? and CAN'T GET YOU OUT OF MY MIND. i'll also comment on NORTHERN LIGHTS which was a peaceful song with kind of a minimalist attitude. overall it wasn't horrible but my money would've been better spent elsewhere or at the very least another round for me and my friends.