Customer Reviews

Who Speaks for Planet Earth

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

 

 

To start of this review, let me say that dance/techno music is not my thing. Before this record was released, I could not have listened to such a song and craved for more. But And Then There Were None, being one of the newest bands to sign with the amazingness that is Tooth & Nail Records, caught my attention when their song "Action is the Anecdote" was featured on the T&N podcast in November of 2008. The song has an addictive quality that I was soon hooked on. It didn't take long for me to realize I liked this band.

Now what, may you ask, is a dance act doing in a Christian rock blog? ATTWN does have a few rock qualities mixed in with their synths and electronic beats, and if I stepped out of my comfort zone to buy a dance/techno album, so can you. Plus, I really think this band deserves the attention

Their debut, Who Speaks For Planet Earth opens with a thirty-eight-second static-filled intro, leading into "John Orr the Arsonist." Like many of the tracks on the album, some of the words become a bit difficult to understand when lead singer Matt Rhoades's voice is distorted for effect, but when his vocals are untampered, they reveal a voice seemingly made for punk rock, but nonetheless fit in great with this style.

And Then There Were None wasn't always the infectious dance band we know today. Formerly, they were a metal band. According the lead vocalist, Matt Rhoades, says "Eventually I ran out of ideas for writing metal music, and began to write what came more naturally. To me, dance music is positive, and still incredibly emotionally based. There are no rules or norms and this allowed me more creative freedom in the writing process. I finally feel as though ATTWN has found its own unique sound." Although I'd say that the slightly emo lyrics for a few songs would fit in better with the metal sound, that's what makes this album special.

The next song, "The Hospital," didn't really catch on for me until I'd listened to it quite a few times. The first time I heard it, I was disappointed, seeing how "Action..." and "Reinventing Robert Cohn" had been premiered on the band's Purevolume page earlier, and "Hospital" didn't even compare. Another song that came across as slightly cheesy and non-fitting with the rest of the album was the cover of Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting." "Thank the Watchmaker" is a fantastic song, besides the fact that its chorus doesn't seem to match the verses in tempo or emotion. It sings about how our lives have a purpose and are not just chance. The name of the song relates to the statement that without a watchmaker, there could be no watch. This is often used when defending Biblical creation as opposed to evolution. Watches are complex--just like human life--and it's impossible that the individual parts of a watch could come together by chance and keep time as any functional watch would. God, in this illustration, is the watchmaker. He created everything that there is with a purpose. He has existed forever and will into eternity. He has a plan for our lives, and loves us enough that he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place for everything we've done wrong.

"The Alamo" opening shows a little of And Then There Were None's rock side. The song has extremely clever lyrics, and uses the BGVs a bit more, which are very different. The debut ends with the cleverly titled "Insozzz...," bringing a very different, yet extremely fun album unlike anything I've ever heard to a close.

Every track on this CD is absolutely awesome and just makes ya wanna GET DOWN!!! Buy IT!!!

...but this album is awesome. It is definitely a step above the usual. It has the same kind of feel as a lot of techno, but creates unique melodies and atmospheres. "The Atmosphere" is probably the standout track, especially with the slick breakdown at the end.

Altogether, a great first album from a band who used to be metalcore...

Ordered cd and it got here soon and it was very nice quality. 4 stars for them! It was great service and I'm glad I used them. Great prices too!!!! Thanks!

And Then There Were None brings out an interesting mix of Techno sound mixed with an Emo feel. Personally for me there are a few tracks worth forgetting like "Bed of Nails" and "Right Here Waiting" but And Then There Were None puts out some strong tracks in the album that just stick to you.

Songs that really stick out in this album are:
The Hospital (insanely catchy)
Reinventing Robert Cohn (pumpin!)
Action is the Anecdote (plain awesomeness!)
The Alamo (upbeat and brilliant)

"John Orr the Arsonist" is an excellent intro to the bands debut. It grabs the listeners attention from start to finish and makes the listener interested and wanting to hear more of what the album has to offer. The song "Cloak and Dagger" gives a good club feel, while "The Atmosphere" is a slower, and a very, shall we say more "chill" song, that can stick to your mind for a long while. "Thank the Watchmaker" is a good upbeat song. And "Insozzz..." delivers the grand finale, an excellent close out to an overall amazing album.

The band has already leased out 2 new cover songs. "Heaven" from Dj Sammy and their cover of Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek" which might appear in their next album, but are available for download now.

This group gives the Christian music industry a big boost with their style of music. This band is indeed one to keep an eye on in the future.

Well done! This is a very good debut album, containing probably some of my favorite electronic songs. "The Hospital" and "The Atmosphere" are sheer amazing-ness, both being very catchy. The rest of the album is too. I highly recommend it, and can't wait until they release a new one.

I bought this cd because a friend said I would like it. You know what? He was right.
If you like Attack! Attack!, but don't like the screamo aspect and their only song you like to listen to is Interlude, then you will love this disc.
It's got a new, biting techno flavor that I find difficult to explain. Listen to the previews; if you like them BUY THIS NOW!
I listened to this cd for days on repeat. It's got a very fun feel to it and I love it.

And then there were none apparently used to do Metalcore music (whatever that is), but for their new CD "Who speaks for planet Earth?", they have abandoned that for adrenaline pumping Techno music with an EMO feel, think Fall Out Boy going Disco and you get the picture.

A Christian music band, their lyrics generally touch vaguely on Biblical imagery and clean living; "she loves temptation but temptation has no place in me... and she's the one I see who screams go on go on / she doesn't know who I am / I really want to tell her that this can't go on tonight" sings lead vocalist Matt Rhoades on the frenetic Eurodisco/vocodered "Reinventing Robert Cohn".

Filled with frenetic beats, swirling and bleeping electronic sounds and reverbing vocals, the downside is that everything tends to sound identical with the same insistent beat. There is even a truly horrid remake of the Richard Marx hit "Right here waiting", imagine the original on a helium high and you get the picture.

Still, there are good songs if you are willing to endure; "John Orr The Arsonist", "The hospital", "The atmosphere", "Cloak and dagger" (with some nice guitar), and my favourite, closing cut "Insozzz...". When it works, it really works, as heard in these songs. However, I hope they aim for a more diverse sound next time around, and please, no Techo remakes ever again!!

I did not recieve the right product. I sent it back
but the post office returned it unable to deliever.