Customer Reviews

Phantom Planet

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

this is the best album in rock'n'roll,flat-out, period. for those who say the Guest is "way better", you need to get with the program, and i'm sure you will. i heard the majority of these songs in the months they were recorded as the band played small shows at a bar in Fredonia, NY, where the album was recorded. The sound is NOT the Guest, they have completely matured as musicians and now have a Rolling Stone type swagger to their music. Alex Greenwald has grown into one of the best songwriters, and the lyrics on this album have much more depth than the Guest. Stand out tracks include "Badd Business" "By The Bed" "Jabberjaw" "After Hours" "The Meantime and "Making a Killing", but EVERY song is killer. The catchy melodies are still there, but they dont jump up and bite you in the face, they are mixed brilliantly with frantic, someitmes ska driven drums, manic bass-lines and interwoven guitar lines. Everyone that thinks the Guest is better needs to listen to this record a few times more and digest what is going on in it.... sheer brilliance!

You bought the Guest, and loved it. You might have done a little research, and found a little-known gem called "Phantom Planet Is Missing," the band's debut album, and loved that one too. So, when you heard Phantom Planet was finally recording their next LP, you got waaaaaay excited. Well, don't. Not if you want more of the same. Most of this album's detractors will argue that it sucks because it's nothing like their previous two. They're half-right.

Phantom Planet's new self-titled CD is chock-full of heavy guitar riffs, club-worthy beats, and raw, angry vocals, none of which were to be found in the Guest, but we are still talking about the same band, here, and you can expect the same quality songwriting and delivery that you've come to love on PP's previous two efforts.

So c'mon. Live a little. These guys stretched their legs on this album, and after a little getting used to, you can to.

Before Phantom Planet's 'Phantom Planet', their sound was a bit lighter, it was power-pop, but not quite as powerful on this album. That's why this is what I think is their best album to date. All the songs are great, catchy - and fun. It is one of thoose albums that is just fun all around. I dig blaring it in the car driving fast with friends. The best songs here would have to be 'The Happy Ending', 'Big Bratt' and 'By The Bed'. But most of the songs are pretty good, not all, but most. My only beef is the production. Sometimes the bass and drums drown out everything, but not all the time. Sometimes the vocals can get a bit irritating, but not alot. All In All, this was a big step in the right direction for the pop-now-powerpop band Phantom Planet. I suggest you check this album out, It's a keeper...

Well, well, well. Look what we have here: a Phantom Planet CD for Strokes fans. And it's not half bad, either. Die-hard fans of Phantom Planet's catchy, gorgeously poppy sound will surely be disappointed, but they need to get over themselves. Traces of Phantom Planet's former melodic tendencies can be seen on the subdued "After Hours" and "By the Bed." The rest of the album is pure, scuzzy garage rock. And rock it does. The boys are clearly better musicians beneath the feedback, with Sam Farrar's bass stealing the show on many tracks. The lyrics are stronger and more mature, especially on the shameless all-things-New-York ripoff "1st Things 1st." This is a solid album, and a radical change. But sometimes, as in this case, change is good. The only real loss is the waste of singer Alexander Greenwald's considerable vocal talent, here reduced to a currently fashionable droning monotone. Sure, I miss "California." But NYC is cool too.

Phantom Planet has got what it takes to be taken seriously.

The Guest (Phantom Planet's Second album)'s exposure was boosted with the popular 'O.C' on Fox, using the leading track off the album 'California' for it's theme song, and they finally got a crack at the main stage, or did they?

They never managed to pull down mainstream radio success, but the then went the EXACT direction I hoped they'd go after The Guest's best tracks were very Garage-esque, and even pushing absolute awesomeness. They come out with their third album, the self titled Phantom Planet, and from opening chord of "The Happy Ending" to closing claps of 'The Meantime', the album has the feeling The Strokes had with Is This It? and other recent mainstream alternative successes, and yet, they still didn't get the mainstream exposure they are so aptly presented for. Regardless, this album grips it and rips it, if I do say so myself. They did everything right, and it left me asking for more from the first rip through the CD. I wish there was a 4 1/2 star rating, as this has just a few flaws from being 5, but the flaws are easily overlooked and if you have any interest in Weezer, Tom Petty, and good music, this is definentely worth it. And hey, they even sell The Guest and Phantom Planet(s/t) in a package deal. So dont hesitate, as both are great, but I sure have my fingers crossed for their next album to continue on this track, as they have seemingly endless potential.

Phantom Planet still rocks, though not like when their planet was missing...They sound a lot like if members of The Strokes and Red Hot Chili Peppers got in a car crash and came out a little distorted...the new drummer dosen't know when to stop drumming and the lyrics are crazy. Yet after a dozen listens the incredible melodies and the vocals by Alexander Greenwald keep the rock alive. Buy this cd. You'll be sitting in public places rockin out to phantom planet's music in your head if you're the kind of compulsive rocker who dosen't have enough money for some headphones...

Phantom Planet was for me the surprise album of the year. My only exposure to Phantom Planet before purchasing their self-titled release was their single "California." I liked the song at the time but never took to the time to check them out. After a friend recommended their new album I took a chance and purchased it. This album is one of my favorites of 2004.

Obviously there is a New York influence on this album, but there's still a California mix. My favorite tracks are "1st Things 1st," "By the Bed", and "knowitall." I am sure there are many comparisons that can be drawn, but Phantom Planet's sound stands on it's own. For me it ranks up with The Walkmen's "bows and arrows" and The Killers "Hot Fuss." All three of these albums are great.

Let me set the record straight, I've been with this band since Phantom Planet Is Missing, and it absolutely amazes me how a group this day in age can grow and mature the way these guys have. From the Elvis Costello like Pop of they're '98 release, to the Squeeze / Beatles combination heard on 02's The Guest, and now The Cure / The Clash combo illustrated through grinding guitar work and off balance vocals on the new Self Titled CD, it is clear that Phantom Planet is a band who doesn't like rehashing old matierial. These five rockers from California have finally come full circle and become a true to the blood, talented rock band that isn't afraid to try new things and experiment. I have absolute faith they will continue to grow and pound my ears with stunningly beutiful new releases in the many years to come. If you respect a true rock band, pick up Phantom Planet. They've only begun to show the world what they're made of.

After rushing out and buying this cd the day it came out, I was disappointed. I knew Phantom Planet had a new sound, and I was okay with that. But at first, all of the songs on the cd sounded the same. Since Phantom Planet is one of my favorite bands, I didn't give up on it right away. I'm very glad I didn't. After three listens, I liked it. After six listens, I loved it. This cd is fantastic. Every song is great in it's own way. The stand out songs on this album are definitely By the Bed and First Things First. If you've heard both Is Missing and The Guest, you knew that Phantom Planet tends to change their sound a lot between cds. The sound on the self titled cd (or We Win Again, as the disc itself says) is much more aggresive than the last cd, but it's a good change.

Listen to Phantoms "guest", then listen to this new one. If you like different hard edged music, you wont regret this album. I gave this album four stars because I like the change in phantoms music (distorted garage sounds), but the lyrics are compromised. I am all for a bands growth change Phantom, Silverchair etc. The album has eleven songs and is at the discovery price, so its a win-win situation for a Phantom fan. GET IT! also if you like this, check out the Strokes.