Phantom Planet/Self-titled
3 stars out of 5
Someday, maybe I'll understand why the ubiquitous sound ofwhiny, lazy vocals layered over the same distorted guitar and basssound that everyone stole from the Strokes (who stole from IggyPop) equals wild success for so damn, many bands.
This sound won't go away, and I don't know why.
What sets Phantom Planet apart from the Strokes and theirimitators, though, is not just the fact that this band bathes.Simply, this band is better, and you don't run into the yuppie "Imust like this band to remain cool" thing.
Tracks like "Big Brat" and "1st Things 1st" are addictive andpoppy. "You're Not Welcome Here" is a lesson in stomping around theroom. "Knowitall" could be a My Bloody Valentine track. The trackshave, you know, actual variance.
Sure, some of the rabid Phantom Planet following can beattributed to star power, whatever that is. Phantom Planet has thatJason Schwartzman connection.
But Phantom Planet is legitimate. This band doesn't ride on thecoattails of a Francis Ford Coppola's drumming nephew.
Schwartzman isn't even with the band anymore, so it can't bethat -- and even if he was, celebrity status isn't enough tosustain a recording career.
Just ask Keanu Reeves, Don Johnson or that soap opera guy.
This band isn't on the radio, either. So the only logicalexplanation for Phantom Planet's success is that this band isactually good.
Phantom Planet appears to be everything the kids line up forthese days. The whiny vocals and distorted guitars are here, sure,but done in a way that isn't so ubiquitous as to becomeannoying.
The new Phantom Planet is not earth shattering, but it'sdefinitely worth hearing and a nice addition to the band's catalog.If they can continue to fly under the radio radar ("California"notwithstanding), they'll be fine.
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