Customer Reviews

Phantom Planet/ The Guest Combo Pack

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Thanks to the popular "O.C." TV show, powerpop/alt-rock group Phantom Planet is getting more exposure than ever before, coinciding with the release of their latest album. Here debut album "The Guest" and the self-titled "Phantom Planet" are collected together... though you'd never think they were the same band.

"The Guest" is a collection of sunny, catchy powerpop. Hit single "California," Radiohead-like "Turn Smile Shift Repeat" and the plaintive "Wishing Well" are a few of the standouts in this album. But most of it is just the mind of a pensive adolescent male, with crushes, longings for faraway oases of fun, and overwrought emotions.

"Phantom Planet" is an entirely different kind of music: garage rock. Gone is the sunniness and fun: in its place is an edgier rock, grittier and faster and harder. The energetic "Big Brat," complicated "Knowitall" and "The Happy Ending" are among the best tracks, showing promise for the future. It has the sound of a band of New York cynics -- watch out, Phantom Planet is all grown up.

It's pretty clear that Phantom Planet has stepped away from its roots. The original pop shifts away in favor of Strokesian alt-rock. Even the vocals change from overwrought to flat (a bit of a Julian Casablancas thing). "Phantom Planet" is not bad, but (like "The Guest") neither is it amazing. Rather the self-titled album is just entertaining rock, as "Guest" is entertaining pop.

The "Phantom Planet/The Guest" combo pack is a good way to get into both sides of Phantom Planet, both rock and pop. A nice diversion.

Here is a cool idea, package PP's new album together with the reissued "The Guest" for a limited time only. I am pretty sure this is a limited edition 2CD set.

First off, Phantom Planet's new self-titled release. Before I heard anything, I read an ace review in Newsday, where this record was called the record the Strokes should have released instead of "Room On Fire". That, plus I read this new record is much more aggressive than "The Guest". As a fan, I purchased this set when I heard about this combo pack, as I wanted to hear the new record for myself, AND I needed the reissued "The Guest" as well (the 4th time it's been reissued??!!??), for the bonus tracks and new artwork, so BAM, together in one package!!

My take...for newcomers, they might come off as the best new band they have heard. For us who have been following Phantom Planet since "Phantom Planet Is Missing", this new record will shock you, it shocked me!! Mainly, its more aggressive sound, feedback, extra-loud drums, and the tunes being somewhat buried under the noise. Now, I LOVE noise, feedback is cool, I love My Bloody Valentine and the Jesus and Mary Chain as much as other hipsters, but I also love POP, POWERPOP, bright guitars, melodies and hooks, and hallelujah choruses. At first, listening to the new PP disc, I thought, UGH, where are the tunes?? AND, at first, Alex sounded JUST like Julian from the Strokes, his tones and vocal inflections. What it took was getting used to their new attack. Once that was outta the way, the tunes revealed themselves, and they are mighty impressive, as well as interesting and original, and the Strokes comparisons fell by the wayside. Now, I can say, the more you play this CD, the better it gets, and I can say, it's the first great record of 2004, bar none. A fave tune is "After Hours", sorta like FOW's "Stacy's Mom", but with more grime and edge. "1st Things First" is also really cool, and I really dig the opening volley of songs: "The Happy Ending", "Badd Business" and "Big Brat". Really, the whole album is cool, diverse and totallty rocking. It took a while, but I really love it now. Brilliant really, turning noise into gold.

As for the 2nd disc?? It's "The Guest", expanded, so if you have the old version, sell it and get this combo pack, as you will have the new version AND the new album, 2 burds with 1 stone, so to speak. I love the extra tracks, espesh the London version of "Always On My Mind", produced by Youth from Killing Joke, louder and a tad rawer but still bright and catchy like prime Squeeze and Elvis Costello and XTC...

All in all, Phantom Planet is very cool and interesting, taking all these side roads, and expanding their powerpop reach while never losing site of their roots. All those people who are trashing it for being too different?? They aren't listening and relistening, and looking beneath the noise. Plus it's GOOD to be different, to evolve and explore; it's boring to make the same record, namely "The Guest", over and over. As long as they never lose their pop instincts, I'll be happy if they make some more side turns...

I bought the 'Phantom Planet/The Guest' combo-pak with some reservations. For starters, I had never heard any of their songs, i got it because it was a duel-disc album for $11 at Vintage Vinyl and I thought the cover art was cool. Now i'm someone who listens to any and everything that gets me going; country, rap, jazz, r&b, rock, trip hop you name it. I am someone whose addicted to music, so it's only fitting i become a musician. So, as a guy going to school studying music i have a certain appreciation for those who are able to make one great album, let alone two great albums. On the first disc it starts off with that kinda post-punk, new wave energy...be forwarned it is very loud, so if your one who plays their music in headphones...you may want to keep your hearing and have it at a reasonable listening level...i can't beleive i'm saying this i sound like my grandmother...anyway,Phantom Planet has become one of those bands i want to hear more from. On disc one they have a song i usually vibe and write my own lyrics to called "Mr.KnowItAll".
What i do is wait until the middle of the night when i can't sleep because my day kept me wired and listen to the album and write. And, everytime i write the album puts me in the mind of the movies. The concept, friends (all there own) who have a get together. Two make love, and the next day lay in bed hoping they didn't wake the other going to brush their teeth for that morning kiss. I'm saying you all have got to get this album. That may not be the albums concept, but it's definetly going to give you that...feeling to just...be. Congratulations Phantom Planet, you all have made something really beautiful here, and no matter what it meant while you were writing it, to me it's something i don't mind the rest of my friends and family clowning me for listening to "white music"...you guys gave me a rainbow in a puddle of water along the curb...and i really needed it cause my writing was suffering.
Now, i don't want people to go have all these expectations about this album. Because it meant something to me don't expect it for you, expect to enjoy a listening experience for you and you only...love Willie James.

here is a really good concept. put phantom planet's reissued previous and their newest album together in one package and sell it for about as much as a regular cd would cost. first of all, it saves me a bunch of money and it gets me even more interested in a band which I only would have casual interest in if i only had one album. what is even more interesting is how much they changed between the 2 albums. the guest is much slower, more melodic, definately good fun. the newer album is faster, more strokes-sounding (even his voice), louder, less melody, and equally fun. both albums are just cool, modern, fun rock. niether of them are any musical styles you haven't heard on the radio for the last several years and there is no incredible technical instrument playing or great lyrics but these guys just do a good job of making their music sound good. it rocks, and sometimes, that's all you need.

If CAKE and THE STROKES got together and had a baby in a garage, this would be that baby.

From the soft and stable John Meyorish songs of The Guest Album to the heartpumping garage thrashing songs of their self-titled release, these guys are "the new stuff."

I admit, california is a bit mainstream but it hooked me and led me to their real stuff. Good music for everyday normal people who enjoy relatable lyrics with catchy music and a sense of humor. It may not set them apart from everyday rock bands, but it is a job well done.

Phantom Planet's new cd "Phantom Planet" is not like their previous cds. "The Guest" and "Is missing" show a slower more mellow side and creates a very happy place. It takes catchy beats and infectious lyrics that get stuck in you head for days, taking on a much more pop image.

Now having "California" as the theme song for the popular show The O.C. Phantom Planet is getting much more attention than before with hits like "California", "Lonely Day", and "Anthem". With the new album, however, it takes a harder and edgier sound. Their first single "Big Brat" is something you'd never expect from them with sounds of more rock than on the other albums. Then again with the exit of drummer/ co-writer Jason Schwartsman, this new sound could have come from newer ideas from the rest of the band.

Songs like "The Happy Ending", "1st Things 1st", and "The Meantime" have a Strokes like feel to them. Alex Greenwald's voice seems to morph right into Julian Casablanca's voice on these tracks. While this might be a great thing for fans of The Strokes and other such fans of "The" bands, this is kind of a change for the fans of the first two albums. The best suggestion would be to buy the combo pack so you get a taste of the old with the "Reissue of The Guest" and a taste of the new "Phantom Planet" a little rock and a little pop.

Like the title suggests, I love the music, major Phantom Planet fan here, however, I was disappointed when I opened the case to my BRAND NEW CD for the very first time. I found that the inside ring of the disc was cracked and an actual chunk of it was missing (it was packaged well, but what? Did I get a defective copy?). It plays fine, but I'm thinking sooner or later the crack will deepen. I was thinking about returning it to amazon, but I don't want to go through the hassle and end up paying for shipping. I am normally satisfied with my purchases from amazon, but this was just a sad let down for me.

I still recommend this Phantom Planet/ The Guest Combo pack, Phantom Planet is amazing and their songs always leave me feeling good. I just hope that it gets to you safely, without the cracks.

For months I've been thinking of buying a Phantom Planet CD ever since hearing California on the OC. I had originally heard the song on the Orange County CD (anybody here notice a pattern THE OC is a show about Orange County and Orange County is a movie about Orange County and they both feature Califonia, weird!) Anyway, I was in the store and found this pack and immediately bought it. Now this wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I was expecting an almost punk/emo band, but once I realized what I was listening to, I started to like it. I personally think The Guest is a better album than Phantom Planet but, they are both good albums. If you are looking for some good music check out this set, you just might like it.

Great CD! I'm completely hooked on Phantom Planet now after hearing some of my friends talk about them. This CD is great for anyone who wants to get into some great indie rock. Buy it now, you won't regret it!