Customer Reviews

As Far As the Eye Can See

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

People in Planes is another UK band that comes to the shores of the US with great music and among rising buzz. Musically, the band is Muse-meets-Readiohead-with occasional heavy guitars. After releasing an early single in 2005 and a great EP last Fall, the band has now released its debut album (which ironically is currently only available in the UK as an import!).

"As Far as the Eye Can See" (12 tracks, 56 min.) blasts off with, strangely, the least characteristic track of the album, a guitar-heavy "Barracuda", but then the band really fins a groove with the 1-2 punch of "For Miles Around (Scratch to Void"), inviting the Muse comparisons, and the first single "If You Talk Too Much (My Head Will Explode)". "Moth" and "Rush" (incidentally, 2 band names...) are 2 further highlights, the latter really bringing the Radiohead comparison to head (not the "Kid A" era). "My Black Widow" is another guitar heavy, but quite catchy song and I could see it as a single. The album lags just a bit in the last third, but the epic closer "Narcoleptic" is a great and fitting end.

This album is a very nice surprise, and surely one of the best releases of the year so far (along with Film School's self-titled album, check it out). People in Planes is coming to Cincinnati in a few weeks, and I can't wait to see how the songs from "As Far As the Eye Can See" translate in a live setting. Meanwhile, this album is highly recommended!

I'm repeating myself with some of the same sentiments of other writers but feel compelled to say something. This cd is That good. Of course Radiohead comes to mind but this band is its own thing, not a copycat (which sometimes I think of Muse). These guys are fabulous and every song is a gem. Now, how many first cd's can you say that about?

See, I think People in Planes comes in the tradition of great music following the progression from YES, Nektar, early Genesis, progressing to Tool, Radiohead and finally People in Planes.

They are NOT to be missed. Get it right away. It's wonderful!

I stumbled upon this recording a few months ago and I'm still listening to it several times per week! I don't do that with many recordings. A very impressive debut album, these young chaps from England show an incredible depth of musical and lyrical composition. Their songs are immensely accessible while sounding incredibly complex. I know they've been compared in these (and other?) reviews to Radiohead and Muse (I'm no expert on those bands, though I've heard them a bit). I also would say they reminded me at times of the newer King Crimson, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pink Floyd, and the Talking Heads (with a bit of Metal thrown in for good measure at times). I'm sorry I missed their limited U.S. tour in 2006 (they made it to Arkansas but not Detroit?!). I hope they tour in 2007 and release another recording soon. I can't recommend this album highly enough. All 12 songs are good. My favorites are "For Miles Around," "If You Talk Too Much (My Head Will Explode)," "Rush," "Falling By The Wayside," "Penny," and "Narcoleptic."

I first heard People In Planes on Launch and decided I'd pick up the CD to see if they were as good as the one or two songs I'd heard. Surprisingly enough, they're really quite good. I'd describe them as a cross between Manic Street Preachers and Radiohead (during The Bends & OK Computer eras). Their melodic and laid-back style is evident in all their songs, with the exception of maybe Barracuda.

My favorite songs include (but not limited to) 'My Black Widow,' 'Penny' and 'Narcoleptic.' As a rule, I tend to avoid albums that have one or two tracks worth listening to just to discover that the rest is complete trash. But as I said, I was pleasantly surprised that the entire album could be listened to without skipping a track. The album sounds like it could have been released during the apex of Britpop in the early and mid-90s.

Clocking in at just over 56-minutes, "As Far as the Eye Can See" is just long enough to make you feel like you've gotten your money's worth. Unfortunately, it will probably never gain the commercial attention that it deserves, however, for those of you who like(d) Blur (Parklike & The Great Escape) and/or Oasis (Definitely Maybe & What's the Story(Morning Glory)), you'll find this album refreshing. It's worth picking up.

This is simply a phenomenal debut album. I'm totally impressed and blown away with these guys' songwriting. Yeah, one can hear the influence of Radio Head or Muse, however these guys' expand and explore their own stuff with great courage. And their sound is unique.

Pretty well every single song on this album ultimately justifies itself and the world would be the lesser without it. All the songs grow on you and have lasting power like anything of quality does.

Already, I can't wait for the next album.

yep, it's good
highlights: great guitar parts, sounds like a "LIGHT + kinda british" dredg / travis / and on a few song even the Mars Volta combination, Gareth Jones has a good voice, and it's a fine listen from start to finish - no need to skip tracks, and it sounds like a trumpet (they credit 'brass')on "Penny" which just fills in that song SO WELL ... so it has those random musical genious parts that blow you away - as in: i wans't expecting that but it works! YEAH! So check out songs: Penny, Token Trapped Woman, and Falling by the Wayside.

and the coulda-been-better: some filler ... 9 killer tracks (atreyu figured that out and KILLED it on ADGOY) would have been better, but i guess the slight lows make you appreciate the super highs, and some lyrics while sung in a heartfelt way it just seems used and done before for some reason. Maybe in England they don't use certain phrases as much so no fault of theirs.

overall: for the cheap price it's worth it ... i only worry that their label is BAD news: home to scott stapp (the man, the legend, the JOKE OF THE WORLD), seether, and evanesce (i can't spell the name of that band with amy lee, but you know the one). is this a christian band? the lyrics certainly aren't, thank God, haha, but if the label plans their tours these brits are in trouble. actually who cares, i've been listening to this non-stop for the past 3 days so yeah, buy it.
ITS PRETTY DARN GOOD, just this reviewer's onion!

This is one of my favorite albums in over a year. I got ahold of the album 2-3 months prior to the release and every track is great. Then, in February (2006) I saw the band live. They were awesome. They definitely rocked these songs much heavier live than on the album. I met the guys after the show and they were all very cool, greatful and I definitely wish the best for this band. I think they got signed for a 2-album deal, so I expect they will have at least one more release.

"Falling by the Wayside" and "Moth" are a couple of my favorite tracks on the album. However, once you give the album a chance, you'll like every single track.

These guys definitely offer a unique sound. I don't think they sound like anyone else, although they probably have some touches of Radiohead and maybe The Police.

For me, this was a "must buy", and I can't wait to see them live again.

People in Planes is from Cardiff, Wales. Their first set "Splendid Animation" came out in 2002 under the band name Tetra Splendour. With a name change, "As Far As the Eye Can See" explodes out of the speakers with the hard rocking "Barracuda." Starting like an old operetta recorded with bird sounds, the single "If You Talk Too Much (My Head Will Explode)" breaks into its stride with Gareth Jones' vocals surfing the music on a great track, "I'll take my share & then I'll vanish." Ironically, "Rush" slows the tempo a tad complete with a female "ba ba ba ba" chorus in the middle, "A lonely evening; Oh no, not again." "I have to sell my soul to you; And that's just to pay for its renewal," Jones sings on "Token Trapped Woman" that has variety from its electric guitar thunderstorm to offhand guitar noodling. To become a truly great band, People in Planes needs to start writing songs that are about things that matter. For instance, although it's a good track, how many times do we need to repeat "Black widow in a white room"? Or on "Penny" the strange lyric, "I'm a machine, but I'm a funny colour" is strange, but not gripping. Airside's cover and package design is excellent. This set is a delight to listen to and offers great promise of things to come. Enjoy!

People In Planes is one of those rare groups that have the ability to draw on their own sensibilities and aren't afraid to let them fly with uncompromized abandon. This is a thrilling CD. POP is one solid unit. Most notable is guitarist Peter Roberts virtuosity as evidenced by stylistic penchant for changing hats so seamlessly that you may find it difficult to keep track of the riffs and hooks. The more I listen, (I can't lay this CD down) the more I hear. Garth Jones' tenor vocals are strong and consistent. They help to hold the songs together, allowing Robert's zap and zing. The rest of the band it definitely up to par, providing a strong foundation. The only slight disappointment is hearing too little of Ian Russell's keys.

The Songs: Barracuda opens with a hard driven blues line, somewhere between Cream and ZZ Top. It also features a sample of the band's whimsical lyrics "Don't play scuba with a Barracuda." "For Miles Around" opens with a reggae beat (a la The Police) only to morph into an anthemic chorus and then whiplash back to the reggae verse. "Token Trapped Woman" showcases Roberts blistering rhythm work. A real stunner. "If You Talk Too Much" has rather peculiar overture with female voices singing the chorus. The song then glides in to cruise, not unlike early Blue Oyster Cult. Other songs include some very hard driven rockers, quiet ballads and funky lines as in "The Black Widow", one of my favorites.

I could go on and on singing the praises of the stunning new band. Check them out. (I wish that I could give this CD 10 stars to offset flying Frisbees)

PS. If you like People In Planes, check out Lake Trout's "Not Them You."

A blend of simplicities mesh together to create something which is much greater than the sum of its parts.

It is beautiful music, in a mildly pink-floyd-likeness; not hard, yet not so soft, not overtly political, nor full of angst, yet... something is lying in the undercurrents.

And we can figure that one out for ourselves.