Driven Far Off

The latest on the indie, alternative, and rock music scene including news, music, contest, interviews, and more. Best described as your favorite place to find new bands.

1090 Club-Natural Selection

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Artist: 1090 Club
Album: Natural Selection
Label: Sidecho Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: March 24, 2009

Overall: 7.0
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 6.0
Production: 8.0

1090 Club’s second release, Natural Selection, features ten tracks of harmonizing guitar, bass, drums, piano and violin. This four piece band from Billings, Montana has produced a relatively solid album with help from producer Steve Fisk who has worked with such bands as Nirvana and Minus The Bear. For the most part, Natural Selection has its fair share of good tracks and at the same time an equal share of mediocre tracks.

The first song, ITSON, features a driving drum rhythm throughout the song accompanied by dark guitar and piano riffs. The violin kicks in within the first 15 seconds of the song and I must admit, the violin is rather refreshing. It seems as though too many bands simply rely on “core” instruments (guitar, bass, drums) and not enough on other instruments, but 1090 Club is an exception and they do a rather good job of incorporating the violin and piano into their songs. “Happiness” is one of the more upbeat tracks on the album with quick drums and once again, the nice incorporation of the violin. The guitar riff in the verse is also a really nice touch to this song. However, the vocals in the song seem really rough and awkward in the chorus. The vocals on a majority of the album are really forced and boring–the singer doesn’t really offer much to the songs. The strong instrumentals in songs likes “Claire” and “Do” make up for the lack of vocals, but I would say that the vocals are the biggest downside to this album.

Despite the weak vocals, don’t let that stop you from checking out Natural Selection. The instrumentals and overall melodies of the songs switch off between relaxing and upbeat. This album features some really nice violin, piano and drum work which is really nice to see because so many bands only rely on guitar riffs and vocals. For the most part, the 1090 Club has released an album that has an equal mix of songs that remind me of music from Cursive and Mates Of States, and I would recommend giving Natural Selection a listen for yourself.

Track Listing
1. ITSON
2. Off My Mind
3. Conversations
4. Happiness
5. Earworm
6. Things Inside
7. Claire
8. Hearts
9. Positive Reinforcement
10. An Act

MSTRKRFT – Fist Of God

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MSTRKRFT - Fist Of God

Artist: MSTRKRFT
Album: Fist Of God
Label: Last Gang Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: March 17th, 2009

Overall: 9
Music: 9
Lyrics: 8
Production: 9.5

The year is 2006, and MSTRKRFT’s debut album The Looks was paving the way for MSTRKRFT’s eventual take-over of the club scene by creating an album of infectious instrumentals, great instrumentation, and an insane vibe of: sex, sex, sex (all to apparent in their video for “Easy Love”). Now MSTRKRFT are back in 2009, with their official sophomore release Fist Of God.

The album starts off with opening track “It Ain’t Love” which kicks of with a hardcore synth loop, which is ultimately perfected with the addition of Lil’ Mo on the hook. “It Ain’t Love” feels really fast paced, but the hook allows it to slow down and repel any obnoxious repetitiveness that could be found on this opening track.

The next track “1000 Cigarettes” kicks the album into high gear with a great intro (courtesy of a strong electronically tinged guitar) that leads right into killer drums and synths that make the track undeniably exciting, and adrenaline pumping to the extreme. The tracking is very well placed in that the next song is the obvious single “Bounce” with N.O.R.E. and ISIS compliments, this song is bred to be played in any club all over.

This album is made for all different kinds of people; Even those who are not techno enthusiasts will find themselves humming along to tracks on Fist Of God. It’s hard to deny the catchiness of John Legend’s croon on “Heartbreaker” which changes the idea of techno as it plays with the many instrumental elements, while retaining the certain tenderness of a class R&B tune. While other people who are more into the technical side of techno will truly appreciate tracks like “VuVuVu” and the album’s title track “Fist of God” both bring out a great energy about them, that will undoubtably resonate with the techno crowd.

All in all Fist of God is an album for a lot of different people, there will always be a track on this album that will bring you in and make you enjoy it. It’s hard to deny songs like “So Deep” with their vocal catchiness. Or the gangster vibes courtesy of Ghostface Killah on “Word Up”. This album is a lot more intense and experimental then their debut, while still remaining light weight at times (See: “Breakaway”) It just goes to show that not every single techno artist needs to make ten minute opuses to drum and bass beats to be good. Sometimes all it takes is smart, catchy instrumentation to create a great, fun and enjoyable album made for everyone.

Various Artists – Punk Goes Pop 2

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Artist: Various Artists
Album: Punk Goes Pop Vol. 2
Label: Fearless Records
Purchase: Itunes
Release Date: March 10th, 2009

Overall: 8.5
Music: 8
Lyrics: 7
Production: 9

The “Punk Goes…” series has helped pay tribute to many great bands over the years, by re-imagining songs by new artists in the “scene”. The latest edition to the “Punk Goes…” roster is Punk Goes Pop Vol. 2, a release comprising of some of todays biggest hits, interpreted by other great bands.

The album kicks right off into full gear with Alesana’s cover of “What Goes Around Comes Around” by Justin Timberlake. To say that this track took the original song to a heavier level would be an understatement. As strong guitar riffs and screams tear through the track, turning this from sad breakup song to headbanger’s delight.

The next couples tracks power through all different kinds of pop. From Silverstein’s rendition of the “Apologize” turning it into a powerful ballad with a climactic finish. August Burns Red’s cover of “…Baby One More Time”, which transforms Britney Spear’s hit into a thrash-fest of epic proportions.

Some of the strongest tracks on Punk Goes Pop 2 are ones that endure the most drastic changes. “When I Grow Up” by Mayday Parade changes the up-beat track into one that emphasizes the catchiness of the Pussycat Dolls original while lacing it with dark undertones that make it much easier to relate to. Also the strength in Bayside’s “Beautiful Girls” changes the Sean Kingston reggae influenced pop jam into an instrumentally strong and incredibly charming Bayside version. “Disturbia” by The Cab also possess a certain charm, that with The Cab’s strong instrumentation and vocal ability makes this track undeniable and one of the album’s strongest tracks, this rendition could even serve as an official single for The Cab.

As strong as these tracks are, there are some misses to be found on Punk Goes Pop 2. When it comes to some of the more obscure tracks, it truly becomes hit or miss with songs. Breathe Carolina’s version of “See You Again” unfortunately comes off as a bit forced and lacks adrenaline, making the Miley Cyrus version more fast-paced and exciting. Attack Attack’s version of “I Kissed A Girl” has a lackluster techno beat followed by a hardcore breakdown, that just lacks that extra oomph the other tracks possess that could take it from alright cover, to awesome dance jam.

In conclusion, like most cover-based albums with many different artists some tracks will falter (see: Chiodos’ “Flagpole Sitta”), while other tracks will rise above the rest and sometimes will be better then the original (see: A Static Lullaby’s “Toxic”).  Overall Punk Goes Pop 2 is a fun, solid offering that will keep the franchise alive for years to come. Here’s to another round of tributes to some of the artists that have and will continue to shape our music scene.

The Spores – Doompop

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Artist: The Spores
Album: Doompop
Label: SideCho Records
Purchase: SideCho Records Store
Release Date: October 14th, 2008

Overall: 8
Music: 8.5
Lyrics: 7.5
Production: 8

Doompop? Is it the cool new term to describe someone’s shoes? a new brand of lollipops? Or the latest album from The Spores? The answer would be the latter (although those lollipops sound pretty tasty), Doompop is the latest release from the band The Spores, it’s a genre defining record that meshes cool beats, strong lyrics, and catchy hooks for a one night stand on an apocalyptic dance floor.

The album begins with the instrumental “Blood Red Rose 2″, starting of the album with tapping mechanical drums until the techno breakdown lets you know what the album is all about. It’s very much a chaotic feeling listening to Doompop, but its the sort of “organized chaos” you just can’t help but embrace and lose yourself in.

Doompop retains a very cool, slick sense in every way. From the instruments, right down to the vocal delivery it’s a very cool affair. Right from the beginning, the sex-on-the-dance-floor sentiments exude on “Ghost Town”, or the roughly sensual vocal implications of “Faster Master”, it is an album that doesn’t falter in it’s ability to exude a strong sexuality to it.

Even though at times their are reflections of other female fronted acts in The Spore’s music (Metric, Shiny Toy Guns), for the most part they are able to stay original in their composition of songs, melding the real instruments (“The Spinning Wheel”) with their obvious techno persuasions (“Won’t Save You”). They create a great balance between what’s real and what’s not, adding great effect to the album as a whole.

Something that needs to be noted about Doompop is that, at its heart it is a very pop like record, filled with great vocal hooks and easy to access lyrics. While the atmosphere created in something very dark and chaotic, it’s hard not to get lost in it and truly enjoy what is happening. It showcases a spastic change from genre to genre throughout that makes this release something new every single time. All you can do in the end is embrace the chaos, and enjoy the ride.

Thursday – Common Existence

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Thursday Common Existence

Artist: Thursday
Album: Common Existence
Label: Epitaph
Purchase: SmartPunk
Release Date: February 17th, 2009

Overall: 9
Music: 9
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 8

Thursday is the kind of band that was a front-runner in the scene for the longest time, constantly churning out genre defining albums that one would have assumed would make them a household name. While they received positive reception by everyone across the board, and amassed a devout following of people, Thursday was one of those bands that were constantly on the verge of breaking big while just not sky-rocketing to the heights people expected of them. So around May 2007, they dropped all touring plans and left their label in search of something more. After one sort of live album, Kill The House Lights Thursday are back in full force, with a new record label (Epitaph) and a new record, Common Existence.

“Resuscitations of a Dead Man” pounds right through the beginning of Common Existence, with wails of urgency courtesy of Geoff Rickely this song sets the tone for the entire release. Echoes of urgency, danger and intensity throughout makes this a great introductory track.

Something Thursday have mastered, almost to the point where it is an art form is the scream. A well placed scream can be everything for a track, it can propel the intensity from a two to a ten in a matter of seconds. Songs such as “Circuits of Fever”, with it’s ambient vocals followed by slightly muffled scream, along with some of the best instrumentals on Common Existence, make this track stand out.  This is easily one of the best examples of a well-placed scream in music today.

Another great example of Thursday’s musical prominence, is the powerful, acoustic song “Time’s Arrow” which is held up with powerful lyrics and strong production, which make it a moving track. This shows that Thursday are just as skillful at slowing is down, as they are at turning it up that extra notch (see: “Unintended Long Term Effects”)

Common Existence is a remarkable tour-de-force of powerful lyrics, clever instrumentation and devotion for music. Each track echoes with meaning, passion and catchiness. Whether it be the dark screams in “You Were The Cancer”, or the light “ooo’s” of “Circuits of Fever” that catapult this album into a league of it’s own and push Thursday into becoming even more prolific then they already are.

Track Listing

1. Resuscitation Of A Dead Man
2. Last Call
3. As He Climbed The Dark Mountain
4. Friends In The Armed Forces
5. Beyond The Visible Spectrum
6. Time’s Arrow
7. Unintended Long Term Effects
8. Circuits Of Fever
9. Subway Funeral
10. Love Has Led Us Astray
11. You Were The Cancer

New Found Glory – Not Without A Fight

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New Found Glory

Artist: New Found Glory
Album: Not Without A Fight
Label:Epitaph
Purchase: Smartpunk
Release Date: March 10, 2009

Overall: 8
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 7.5
Production: 8.0

After a band is around for a while, it becomes hard to live up to their fans expectations. The band may want to take their music in a different direction or change this or change that, which can lead to many fans being disappointed. I don’t speak for everyone when I say this, but I fall into this category of disappointment after New Found Glory’s previous release of Coming Home. So, when I heard NFG was releasing a new album, I was skeptical but excited. I could only hope that NFG would bring back that pop-punk and hardcore style that I have enjoyed over so many years and luckily, they have done just that with their latest release Not Without A Fight.

With this new album, New Found Glory really brings back their sound that defined records like Sticks and Stones and Catalyst. The first few songs pretty much sum up what this album is about. “Right Where We Left Off” features an on-going catchy rhythm/lead guitar and chorus, “Don’t Let Her Pull You Down” displays a high pitched guitar riff and the chanting of “DONT! LET! HER! (pull you down)”, and lastly “Listen To Your Friends” is the type of song most people expect from New Found Glory: fast paced instrumentals, an extremely catchy pre-chorus and overall style as well as a good message of “listen to your friends!”

As the album continues, I think some of the songs can be easily over looked. For example, after my first listen of “47,” I thought the song was extremely cheesy saying “I called you 46 times..and you answered on the 47th.” After a few more listens, this song has easily become my favorites on the record. This same thinking can be applied to the song “Reasons” which starts off with a quick, acoustic guitar rhythm and one can only handle so much of Jordan Pudnik’s voice.

“Not Without A Fight” has a little something here and there for the “hardcore” kids–somewhat similar to songs off of their “Tip Of The Iceberg” EP. Songs like “Such A Mess” and “47” display some palm muted guitar riffs in the verse and in the breakdown that is sure to get kids going at shows. There is also a lot more group chanting than previous New Found Glory albums seen in songs “Don’t Let Her Pull You Down”, “47”, “Don’t Let This Be The End.”

If fans are expecting New Found Glory to progress and change their sound a bit considering they’ve been around for a while, this album has none of that. It is straight up pop-punk and that is what New Found Glory does best. The songs off of this album could easily be a continuation off of previous New Found Glory records, so don’t expect anything really “new” from New Found Glory. Overall, “Not Without A Fight” is a fairly strong record that I believe most fans will enjoy.

Track Listing

1. Right Where We Left Off
2. Don’t Let Her Pull You Down
3. Listen To Your Friends
4. 47
5. Truck Stop Blues
6. Tangled Up
7. I’ll Never Love Again
8. Reasons
9. Such A Mess
10. Heartless At Best
11. This Isn’t You
12. Don’t Let This Be The End

Michael Zapruder – Dragon Chinese Cocktail Horoscope

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Artist: Michael Zapruder
Album: Dragon Chinese Cocktail Horoscope
Label: SideCho Records
Release Date: March 24th, 2009

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 8.0

Nowadays, it’s becoming harder and harder to find a musician that deserves to be called a “song writer”. With hooks becoming more and more necessary for success, the true artistry behind music is being sacrificed to those who are masters of alliteration and clever metaphors. Gone are the days of meaningful lyrics draped with light but powerful instruments. But every now and again, we find someone who does deserve this title, someone who puts together an album that is thought out, planned and meticulously carved into a piece worthy of great praise. This brings us to Michael Zapruder’s album, “Dragon Chinese Cocktail Horoscope.”

“Happy New Year” leads the track in with light piano and mildly electronic drums that introduce us to the world to Michael Zapruder. This song brings us right in with very catchy instrumentals coupled with sentimental lyrics, that along with Michael’s stream of consciousness type lyrics bring us full-force into this album.

Whether it be the Arcade Fire-esque “Ads For Feelings”, the beautiful piano in “Can’t We Bring You Home” which propels straight to an older time in the basement of a pub somewhere in downtown New York, as Michael softly croons the title of the track with light strings howling in the background. Whether it be the acoustic tinges of “Harbor Saints”, which just makes the listener feel good. It’s all to apparent that “Dragon Chinese Cocktail Horoscope” is a CD that makes you feel as if you are the only person that understands it, yet you want all of your loved ones to hear it and love it just as much as you.

The thing that makes this album stand out amongst it’s contemporaries, is that it feels as though every single note, every single lyric is thought out and meticulously crafted into one beautiful composition of music. This album could be  life’s work that is how well put together it is. It feels as though it has taken years to get it out to people, because every second with it is appreciated and lovingly taken care of.

In conclusion, “Dragon Chinese Cocktail Horoscope” is a very diverse and well approached and implemented piece of work. It basically defines all that is right with music right now, and should serve as a precedent to any other potential artist out there as how to execute a great record. This album deserves all the praise in the world, it has no flaws as each moment is enjoyed and cherished. This album needs to be heard by everyone you know, for music’s sake.

The New Regime – Coup

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Artist: The New Regime
Album: Coup
Label: Unsigned
Purchase: iTunes
Release Date: November 18, 2008

Overall: 7.5
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.0

Ilan Rubin, currently the drummer for the Lostprophets, has just released The New Regime album, “Coup.” However, Rubin is the only one involved in any musical aspect of the album. Every sound you hear on this album-the guitar, drums, bass, keyboard, harmonies, vocals and anything else you can find, is all performed by Rubin. In addition to being involved with The Lostprophets and The New Regime, Rubin will fill the drumming position for Nine Inch Nails starting next year sometime. Did I mention he is only 19?! Now back to The New Regime’s album, “Coup.”

“The Collapse” is the opening track to this record starting off with some heavy, dark piano riffs and drumming. The chorus explodes into loud vocals and steady guitar rhythms and I must say, I am very impressed with Rubin’s voice throughout the whole song. This song goes back and forth between a very dark feel and a very upbeat, typical rock ballad which I enjoyed for the most part.

The next song, “Order Restored,” starts off similar to “The Collapse” with a dark opening accompanied by keyboards. This song is probably my favorite in terms of Rubin’s vocals and the overall melody. After listening to this song, it reminded me of songs off of Cursive’s “Domestica” album with similar vocals and rhythms. “Order Restored” is easily one of the best songs on the album and it really displays all the talent that Rubin possess musically between the vocals, guitars and drumming.

As the album progresses, The New Regime takes a step back from the dark, heavy mood seen in the first few songs and heads towards a more traditional rock style. This is seen in the song “Take Control” which features a catchy verse and once again, the loud explosive choruses that Rubin likes to present. If you are looking for a song similar to Rubin’s work with the Lostprophets, “Take Control” seems to be one of the few songs on the album that sound somewhat similar to his work with the Lostprophets.

“Haunt My Mind” starts off like the first two songs-a dark keyboard riff with background drumming. Once again, Rubin diverts back to the dark instrumentals that most of the album displays. The lead guitar riff toward the end of the song really showed a change of pace from the songs heard on this album and I wish Rubin incorporated similar guitar riffs to change up the songs a bit. One thing I noticed about a lot of these songs was a lot of repetition which got tiring after a few listens.

Straying away from keyboards and loud instrumentals, Rubin slows down the album with the acoustic song, “The Credit “WE” Deserve.” The opening acoustic guitar is really enjoyable and sets a different tone from the entire album. Rubin’s vocals sound spot on throughout this whole song. “The Credit “WE” Deserve” shows a different side of The New Regime and I don’t recommend that you skip over this song because Rubin really does deserve a lot of credit for this song-easily one of my favorites on this record.

“Tap Dancing in A Minefield” shows a completely different side to The New Regime. It features a very fast upbeat guitar riff heard throughout most of the song. The chorus, once again, features loud instrumentals and loud vocals. The ending of this song displays some really great guitar playing which I find amazing considering that Rubin’s main instrument are the drums. I really liked the direction that Rubin took this song-more upbeat and catchy than a majority of the songs on this album.

“Coup” features a wide variety of songs. The album starts off with slow, dark songs and progresses into more catchy, upbeat rock songs. The fact that Rubin is able to switch back and forth between two different styles ultimately shows his talent as a musician. I would of enjoyed this album more if there were some more diversity within the songs. I felt like there was a lot of repetition and some of the songs got boring about half way through. Lastly, “Coup” takes a step back from the over produced crappy albums that so many artists put out. Rubin doesn’t stick to only one tone through out the whole album which most artists fail to do. Overall, “Coup” is a very solid album featuring excellent instrumentals and vocals all from one man: Ilan Rubin.

Track Listing
1. The Collapse
2. Order Restored
3. All These Changes
4. Take Control
5. Time Erase
6. Haunt My Mind
7. This War Time
8. The Credit “We” Deserve
9. Tap Dancing In A Minefield
10. Somethings

Trenches – The Tide Will Swallow Us All

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Artist: Trenches
Album: The Tide Will Swallow Us All
Label: Solid State
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: September 16, 2008

Overall: 9.5
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.5

The sky is grey and hangs above the streets like an Orwellian nightmare, a filter that surrounds the masses to make sure blue skies aren’t seen for another day. Coldness inhabits the darkness, taking its skin like a costume or disguise. When a chilled breeze flows by, you feel as if the gloom has tangled itself around you, leaving you with only fears and doubts and hideous thoughts masquerading as compliments. Memories of sunny days and falling leaves play over and over in your mind, reminding you that this too shall pass.

Trenches were used as protection, as a defense against the enemy during war. Soldiers would sweat in foreign countries while digging away, knowing that each lift of the earth was an inch closer to being relatively safe. During battle, soldiers hid in the trenches, allowing the earth to serve as a shield, as protection against bullets and items launched from the opposition line. These holes and connected system of ditches held each individual’s thoughts and prays, hoping that the battle will be over and in due time, they would be home again with their families. Ditches, containers of bodies built by bare hands to demolish the enemies from a distance, but to also protect them from soaring metals.

Whether or not the name of the band is meant to allude to such images, that’s something only the members can truly answer. Regardless, many listeners can view the music of Trenches debut record, “The Tide Will Swallow Us Whole”, as a metaphorical element to their lives, serving to “protect” them from their struggles, stresses, and daily hardships. It’s easy to compare a military strategy to something put out by a five-piece band: music in general has always served as an escape, a place where one could hide between notes and sounds.

The ten tracks on the record span various genres, from the brutal to the experimental to the eerily inspiring. The first time listening to the record, you are taken on loops and dives, twists and turns where the unexpected grips you by the wrists. The first track (“Calling”) starts out with an eerie sound fading in, getting louder, and then the vocals from Jimmy Ryan, formerly of Haste The Day. The music slows down immensely while the screams still pour out like lions running towards their prey, ready to sink their teeth in. The rest of the track flips between a faster pace, and a slow, more relaxed one where the instruments can be heard clearly. There is a hint of singing that will eventually be heard throughout the record in small portions, but each section of singing relatively different than the other. The first track is a perfect opener, giving the listener a taste of what’s going to be explored throughout the next nine tracks; impressive musicianship, brutal vocals, unique singing sections, dark themes without rooting back to the over-used basic of chugging guitars and breakdowns.

The experimental aspect of “The Tide Will Swallow Us Whole” is outstanding, giving a unique twist to heavier music. A large part of the songs are portions of instrumentals, which proves that hype surrounding Trenches shouldn’t just be focused on Jimmy Ryan, but the rest of the members who are talented in their given spotlights. “Bittersweet” includes a piano near the end of the song that leads to emotional yells and screams. The build up from piano to the yells leaves the listener with a sense of reaching the climax of a given event, whether positively or negatively viewed.

The ten songs have a tendency to evoke dark imagery, but not in the sense of glorify negative aspects, but in the sense of bringing awareness and messages of hope through honest lyrics and creative musicianship. Overall, Trenches makes an impressive and underrated debut with “The Tide Will Swallow Us Whole.” Ten songs of something refreshing not plagued with stereotypical sounds and vibrations. One of the best records of the year, Trenches should easily become a common name in backlit media devices around the world.

Track Listing
1. Calling
2. Eyes Open
3. Sacrament
4. Trip The Landmine
5. Pathways
6. Bittersweet
7. Call It Correct
8. End
9. Ocean Currents
10. Cornered

Phantom Planet – Raise the Dead

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Phantom Planet

Artist: Phantom Planet
Album: Raise the Dead
Label: Fueled by Ramen
Purchase: SmartPunk
Release Date: April 15, 2008

Overall: 8.5
Music: 8.5
Lyrics: 8.0
Production:8.0

Far from the melodrama of teeny soaps and Jason Schwartzman, Phantom Planet is alive again and back with their newest album, Raise the Dead. Tragically, the past will always follow the band but they are content to move forward with vigor and purpose. As most listeners will carry “California” into this record, it will soon be forgotten. Raise the Dead responds as vocalist/guitarist Alex Greenwald’s obsession with cults, their leaders, and the music which drives them. This opus will help deter the listener from the “California” pop and even garage rock tendencies of past Phantom Planet albums. Throughout Raise the Dead, it is evident Greenwald immersed himself into the studies of cults and such leaders as David Koresh, Jim Jones, and Charles Manson. The album’s upbeat and raucous sound is highlighted by double meanings and haunting orchestration. Several tracks strike with circus-like rhythms, luscious strings, subtle horns, and atmospheric effects. Upon their underlying themes, Phantom Planet have created an indelibly, grander record.

Raise the Dead opens with the title track in a booming anthem intensified by strings and Greenwald’s wailing, reminiscent of The Walkmen. “Leader” stands out as a track with joyful pop melodies streamed by a children’s choir and features excellent lyrics, which delve deeply into the album’s theme. While their first single “Do the Panic” harkens back to garage rock, the song forges ahead strongly behind Greenwald’s erratic vocals and the striking guitar riffs. “Ship Lost at Sea” contains bright horns and vaudeville rock which will send the listener reminders of 60’s pop. Indeed, the atmospheric blends of “Confess” offer a likeness to the excellence of Radiohead. Alas, the album closes with a serene ballad “I Don’t Mind” which gently slides beside lowly horns and a steady acoustic line.

Phantom Planet will surely surpass the listener’s expectations and their progression should only offer brighter hopes for future records. Raise the Dead is a wonderfully, haunting display of Greenwald’s (unhealthy) obsession with cult-life. Maybe now, he can leave “California” behind.

Standout tracks: “Leader”, “Raise the Dead”, “Ship Lost at Sea”

Track Listing
1. Raise the Dead
2. Dropped
3. Leader
4. Do the Panic
5. Quarantine
6. Ship Lost at Sea
7. Demon Daughters
8. Geronimo
9. Too Much Too Often
10. Confess
11. Leave Yourself for Somebody Else
12. I Don’t Mind