To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the pop-punk outfit, Acceptance, recently announced their reimagined version of their quintessential album, Phantoms, called Phantoms/Twenty, recorded by original producer, Aaron Sprinkle, amid the band’s reunion and milestone anniversary due September 12 via Equal Vision Records. And while the band did redo their parts, this isn’t just any standard re-recording.
To give new context to its profound and lasting legacy, Acceptance enlisted a wide range of artists across various genres, many of whom were inspired by the band including Stephen Christian of Anberlin, Memphis May Fire’s Matty Mullins, Boys Like Girls frontman Martin Johnson, The Maine’s John O’Callaghan, Jenna McDougall from Tonight Alive and Hevenshe, All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth, State Champs vocalist Derek DiScanio, Teddy Swims who has publicly shared that the band inspired him and admitted the first song he learned how to play on guitar was an Acceptance track, and more!
All of the guests on the record inject a sense of reverence and gratitude into the songs, as if by being on them is their way of saying thank you to the band for making this album all those years ago. Acceptance also asked each person who contributed to write a little blurb about why they wanted to take part, something that, for the band, was almost as meaningful as their guest spots.
Acceptance shares “Our fondest memories of the Phantoms sessions can be re-told through the piano chords Jason sang into on the emotionally charged final chorus of “So Contagious”. At the time, a song that was the truest form of what Acceptance could really be. Blending early indie rock influences in the single string verse guitars with big, dissonant choruses. “So Contagious: captures the unbridled energy that comes with a new love. A few years ago, we connected with Teddy Swims by chance, and sparked a strong connection through mutual admiration. From the moment we had the vision for Phantoms/Twenty, we knew Teddy was the only choice for So Contagious. Adding his signature soulful style to the song, Teddy was able to bring out of So Contagious, an entirely different experience. The result of which can be found in the final chorus of the song, as Teddy masterfully delivers some of the most dynamic moments found in Phantoms/Twenty.”
Phantoms/Twenty tracklist:
1. Take Cover featuring Martin Johnson
2. So Contagious featuring Teddy Swims
3. In Too Far featuring Jenna McDougall
4. The Letter featuring John O’Callaghan
5. Different featuring Alex Gaskarth
6. Ad Astra Per Aspera - Instrumental featuring Ellisay
7. This Conversation Is Over featuring Stephen Christian
8. Over You featuring Derek DiScanio
9. Breathless featuring Charlotte Sands
10. In The Cold featuring Mitch Grassi
11. Permanent featuring Matty Mullins
12. Glory/Us featuring Cassadee Pope
Catch Acceptance on the road later this year, tour dates can be found below:
Aug 22 - The Showbox - Seattle, WA
Sep 12 - The Observatory - San Diego, CA
Sep 13 - The Observatory - Santa Ana, CA
Sep 14 - The Fonda Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
Oct 17 - Palladium Upstairs - Worcester, MA
Oct 18 - The Brooklyn Monarch - Brooklyn, NY
Oct 19 - TLA - Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance is Jason Vena (lead vocals/keyboard), Kaylan Cloyd (lead guitar), Garrett Lunceford (drummer/percussionist), Christian McAlhaney (rhythm guitar and backing vocals) and Ryan Zwiefelhofer (drums).