Customer Reviews

Beyond Planet Earth

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

 

 

This CD scared a lot of Shelter devotees because it continued the trend initiated with "Mantra" ... namely, introducing more pop elements and the occasional rap. "Beyond Planet Earth" features Shelter at their most poppy, with songs like "Whole Wide World" and "I Know So Little (So Well)." In addition, the album's single, "Alone On My Birthday," is a ska song (and quite possibly one of the band's greatest songs period) and there is a techno remix of "Man or Beast!" Given such elements, many hardcore kids moaned that Shelter sold out, and after the failure of this album, Shelter retreated to the indies to once again make strictly hardcore music.

So is this album a sign Shelter was selling out? Not at all. They still maintain their lyrical attack on those who waste their lives on material entities and goods, champion animal rights, and exalt Krishna consciousness. This album is worth buying because it shows Shelter trying to branch out, to bring their message to the masses, but also to try new things. This doesn't always work, as on the atrocious rap song "Helpless," but overall is a welcome change from typical hardcore ... and it's what true punk is all about.

What the hell is this? After Mantra, which was a bit strange at some moments, this is even weirder. What happened to Shelter? I think if Ray Cappo really desires to make also this kind of music, besides the hardcore/punk music, he should give it a different name. This is so far from the original Shelter and it's such a contrast. Ok, not in terms of Paradise Lost or sumthing (thank god) but... rap rock? ska? Please! Good try, but hey I don't like ska that much and I hate rap rock (read: all those Limp Bizkit copycats and LB theirselves of course) so please...keep up the good work you got into with Quest and Attaining. After this 20 Summers was released, which I personally found a total relief, and the Purpose Passion, which was even better. I suggest you get one of those two, or one of the two I mentioned right before them. Or all of them. Just buy this one to complete your collection. And yes, the lyrics are brilliant and not all songs are bad. Why do you think I rated them with three stars...

Even though shelter is gone, everybody should get this record. with a blend of pop-punk and hardcore that comes out just right, these guys know what they're doing. but most important is the strength of the lyrics: they're an exhortation to live a better life, but they never preach to the listener.

I just got this album used, and I love it. This is a great punk rock album that helped introduce today's punk bands. It may not be hardcore, but it is as great as their other releases. "I Know So Little (So Well)" is my favorite, as it brings me back to when I was only in 3rd grade and life was at its bright side. "Alone On My Birthday" is also a great track, with trumpets and such. Another great hardcore-punk album from 1997 is Stillsuit's "At The Speed Of Light", which has members in Glassjaw.

This is a very good album from one of the greatest bands in the world. If you are looking for a rock album with intelligent lyrichs then this is it!!