Together they have crafted a sound that is equal parts anthemic, dancefloor-oriented and orchestral, borrowing elements from progressive rock, disco, electro, and psychedelia.
The Phenomenal Handclap Band started when Collás and Marquand, two New York underground club DJs, became restless with the concept of playing other people's music. Both had also been involved in the thriving nightlife scene, and had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of esoteric music ranging from Brazilian soul to vintage psych-rock, so becoming producers seemed to be the next logical step.
After working with a wide range of artists, from veteran soul acts to up-and-coming rock n' rollers, the duo set their sights on The Phenomenal Handclap Band, a supergroup comprised of various luminaries of the indie rock and underground soul scenes. The resulting self-titled debut is the harmonious culmination of numerous diverse musical backgrounds, as well as a testament to Collás’ and Marquand’s singular musical vision.
The album begins with the meditative strains of the epic "Journey to Serra da Estrela" which erupts into a driving synthesized force, and foreshadows the arrival of "Testimony", in which Jaleel Bunton (TV on the Radio) provides a fiery psychedelic guitar backdrop for Aurelio Valle's (Calla) voodoo incantations. Carol C (Sí Se) lends her considerable vocal talents to "You'll Disappear", a cosmic disco floor-filler that sets the stage for The Lady Tigra's (L'Trimm) jump-rope rhymes on the soon-to-be classic summer jam, "15 to 20".
Live, The Phenomenal Handclap Band is distilled to an eight-member powerhouse, an eye-popping spectacle that overwhelms the senses. It pulses with a savage rhythm section that provides the ultimate foil for cascading guitars and electrified washes of organ and synthesizers. Their delirious sermonizing whips crowds into a charismatic frenzy. Needless to say, their live shows are more akin to a spiritual church revival than an actual rock show.
The Phenomenal Handclap Band’s self-titled debut album is being released by the acclaimed Brooklyn indie label Friendly Fire Recordings on June 23, 2009.
All Of The Above
The Phenomenal Handclap Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Above all Kings
Above all nature
And all created things
Above all wisdom
And all the ways of man
You were here before the world began
Above all thrones
Above all wonders
The world has ever known
Above all wealth
And treasures of the earth
There is no way to measure what your worth
Crucified laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
The lyrics of "All of the Above" by The Phenomenal Handclap Band are powerful and full of meaning. The song talks about the magnitude and greatness of God, starting with the lines "Above all powers, Above all Kings, Above all nature, And all created things." These lines suggest that God is above all things and all powerful. The next few lines continue to emphasize this point, highlighting God's wisdom and eternal presence. The song then goes on to describe God's sacrificial love, comparing it to the image of a rose being trampled on the ground. The final line, "And thought of me, Above all," acknowledges the personal impact of God's love on the listener.
The message of the song is clear: God is above all things and yet he still cares deeply for each individual person. The imagery of a rose being trampled on the ground is powerful, emphasizing the depth of God's sacrifice and the extent of his love for humanity. The message of the song is uplifting and encourages the listener to see the world in a new light, with a renewed sense of hope and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Above all powers
You reign supreme over all forms of authority and influence
Above all Kings
Even those who hold positions of great power and wealth are beneath you
Above all nature
Your existence transcends the natural world and its laws
And all created things
No matter what has been brought into existence, it is still beneath you
Above all wisdom
No amount of human knowledge can compare to your supreme understanding
And all the ways of man
No matter how clever or advanced we become, we can never outsmart or outdo you
You were here before the world began
Your presence has been felt since the very beginning of creation
Above all kingdoms
No earthly kingdom can compare to your divine sovereignty
Above all thrones
Even the most majestic and imposing of thrones are beneath your greatness
Above all wonders
No matter how miraculous or astounding a wonder may be, you are still above it
The world has ever known
Throughout all of human history, nothing compares to your magnificence
Above all wealth
The riches of the world seem trivial when compared to your infinite abundance
And treasures of the earth
Even the most precious and valuable treasures on earth pale in comparison to your worth
There is no way to measure what your worth
Your value is immeasurable and cannot be quantified by any human means
Crucified laid behind the stone
You suffered a brutal death and were buried in a tomb
You lived to die
Your ultimate purpose was to sacrifice yourself and die for the sins of humanity
Rejected and alone
You were rejected and abandoned by those closest to you during your darkest hour
Like a rose
You were fragile and vulnerable, yet still possessed a captivating beauty
Trampled on the ground
You were treated with disdain and disrespect, despite your inherent worth
You took the fall
You willingly took on the burden of sin and its consequences
And thought of me
You endured all of this out of unconditional love for each and every individual
Above all
Overall, your greatness surpasses anything and everything in existence
Writer(s): Collas Daniel Moreira
Contributed by Camden J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.