The Phenomenal Handclap Band

I've finally found an American band I'm happy to vouch for. According to their MySpace, The Phenomenal Handclap Band is a tight-knit aggregation of musicians and artists from Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. At the center of it is Daniel Collás and Sean Marquand.

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 collective comprised of various luminaries of the indie rock and underground soul scenes. The resulting self-titled debut (which boasts guest appearances by Aurelio Valle, Carol C, Jaleel Bunton, Bart Davenport, Jon Spencer, and Lady Tigra) is the harmonious culmination of numerous diverse musical backgrounds, as well as a testament to Collás’ and Marquand’s singular musical vision. They have crafted a sound that is equal parts anthemic, dancefloor-oriented and orchestral, borrowing elements from progressive rock, disco, electro, and psychedelia.

Their debut album has just hit the (virtual) shelves and I'll hopefully get a chance to see them live very soon, so I'll see for myself whether "their delirious sermonizing whips crowds into a charismatic frenzy" and "their live shows are more akin to a spiritual church revival than an actual rock show". Until then, enjoy "You'll Disappear".