Rating:  -
Any time a relatively unknown group cranks out a great song, like "California", you expect them to be a one hit wonder. You've seen it before - a great song you catch on the radio, so great you decide to pick up the album in order to discover the rest of that awesome talent that you just know awaits you on the other tracks. And then you get it home and try to figure out where the hit song came from when the other songs can't begin to compare.
This album is NOT one of those. Sure, "California" may be the strongest song on the album, but there is a supporting cast of tracks here to keep the good vibes cranking most of the way. "Always On My Mind" is a great tune that keeps your foot tapping. "Lonely Day" has an awesome guitar power chord chorus. "One Ray of Sunlight" drips a little sap, but is ultimately a listenable song. "Anthem"... isn't, but you'll find yourself humming along. "In Our Darkest Hour" has a compelling, tortured vocal touch to it but grows a little weak in the chorus. "Turn Smile Shift Repeat" is a slower, sadder song, and is meant to be deep. Problem is, it's too transparent in its intentions. "Hey Now Girl" starts with some quirky synth beats but breaks out into a rollicking guitar song. "Nobody's Fault" is another fun toe-tapper. "All Over Again" is a great tune, with the vocals tinged in that tortured affectation that works well for these guys. "Wishing Well" is a pleasant slower song, but it's placement right behind "All Over Again" makes it feel like it's killing the party. "Something Is Wrong" is a slow and gentle song, and it just doesn't seem to fit with the overall feel-good theme of the CD.
The only weakness this set has is the lyrics. The tunes are strong enough, but there just aren't any memorable phrases or lines used, "California" excepted. The lyrics aren't bad, it's just that they aren't great.
The real test of this CD is the ability to listen to it, in its entirety, over and over. It's been in heavy use since I got it, and that's something that no one-hit CD can accomplish.
Rating: -
In agreeance with the review by Kim, I'd say there isnt anything extremely mind-blowing about the CD other than its strategically written melodies and production, which isnt all bad. In fact, probably one of the best pop albums of 2003. In response to the last post:
Califonia is a great pop track that deserves its due diligence as one of the most well-written pop songs of the last few years. Just because it was bastardized by the O.C. doesnt mean its a bad song nor a bad album. Do a little listening before you bash numb nuts.
Rating:  -
Phantom Planets song California, is something out of a kindergartens days musical songs that just seems to get more and more annoying for those who like those of the youngsters don't have a brain capacity to realize music in any form at all. Like the name of this song may give away the song seems to be about California. Which cannot even be debated since there are few words to this song except the name of that west cost state which is just being degraded every time someone even hums the tune to this hideous modern art masterpiece. The only other lyres you'll here besides that of California is, "California here we come, right were we started form. " which I suppose is not much of an improvement, and "hustlers grab your guns, shadow ways a ton." a nice little rhyme that brings me giggles every time because I remember when I here it that someone actually though they were creative when they made it up, and because someone actually paid money to here that line. Next to repetitive get stuck in your head for a week lyres, there is the horrible music itself. It's a mix of classical bands filled with a singer, guitarist, and drummer. With a ;little new age main stream kick of a electric pain. Yet another cliche addition seeing as many bands seem to be multiplying and coming up with that feature. It's a simple no thought playing, like a dirt rock in your hand. Simple, stupid, cant figure out why g-d let this be created, and can be broken down to bits with the weakest of winds. Its every little spoiled brat, mommy give me now, jappy, whore to society girls dream song, or at least it is for about a week till the next one comes. So go on and enjoy the new one hit wonder boy band for the week. It can be your weeks resolve to loose another 30 brain cells. If you really want a song that will get stuck in your head and wont get stones thrown at you, try boom boom boom,all around the world, or sweet dreams are made of these. At least with those you'll have your friends sing with you and laugh because you all got the same song stuck in your head. So with that I say goodbye,
g-d speed, and g-d have mercy of the souls of those who even thought of making this song.
Rating: -
To be honest, I've obviously been living in a bubble world, because I've never seen The O.C. I was introduced to this lovely band by a random playing of California on the radio, and even had to sit there and endure Usher before finding out who the track was by. So, you can imagine my pleasure, upon hearing the rest of the album, that it all pretty much maintains the same high standard. The first half of the album is particularly strong, California and Lonely Day for example, and only Nobody's Fault leaves me cold (it just feels a bit too cheesy, even for this uplifting, smiley album).
If anything, they remind me of a UK band called Clearlake; his vocal style is nigh-on identical - so if you like this, I seriously suggest you give them a try too (the album is called Cedars). Thankfully I read the Semisonic comparison after hearing it, otherwise I'd have never bothered.
Rating:  -
...The Guest, in my book, is the best and most palatable of all these alternative-pop-rock acts that came out last year. ... We tried to see them later that fall at the Black Cat only to walk up to the line and realize that the show had sold out ahead of time. Hopefully the same won't happen with their upcoming show here in the DC area. (Best of luck in finding the double-disc version of The Guest with the unreleased title track, and live cuts of "Do The Panic" & "California." Even more luck in also finding the 5-song live promo that was released before the actual cd too. ..."California" was the best thing about the ads for Fox's OC. Lead singer Alexander Greenwald even inflects a little country twang on "Always On My Mind" and "Nobody's Fault." I don't go a week without finding myself singing "Lonely Day" at least twice to myself...even without having listened to the cd in several months. There was a time too, in my more tortured moments, where "One Ray Of Sunlight" was my favorite of the tracks on here with the chorus of, "Try all you want to / I'm gonna try too / If I get one ray of sunlight to hold in my hand / Maybe we can be happy again." "Anthem" could be a postmodern protest song if played in the local football stadium's PA. "In Our Darkest Hour" is probably my least favorite of the tracks on The Guest; it's a little grungier, a little more garage than most of the songs and is mildly redeemed by the chorus' hook. "Turn Smile Shift Repeat" is probably their most atmospheric work to date and has drawn comparisons to dare I say it...Radiohead? The sax in the bridge makes the track though adding another layer uncommonly heard of in most of today's pop fare. "Hey Now Girl" works because it's under three minutes, same with "Nobody's Fault." The two of these songs together makes this ...boy jump up & down like he's with a bunch of kids at their first rock show. I'm a little older so I can't jump up & down for more than six minutes at a time. I think Sheryl Crow might've sampled the opening drums on "Soak Up The Sun" from the ending drums of "All Over Again." "Wishing Well" builds up from a repetitive piano note to an epic masterpiece that could rival, dare I say it...Radiohead?...even including some Bachrachian trumpets. And you all know what a sucker I am for trumpets and horns in pop music. Album closer, "Something Is Wrong," stands-out as the warmest song on The Guest keeping it acoustic letting the bass guitar reverberate and harkens back to all those old acoustic acts from the Sixties.
I think the future can hold even greater things for Phantom Planet, if the departure of drummer & Rushmore-star Jason Schwartzman doesnt affect the band too much. I would like to hear more Beach Boy style harmonies from them, but then again, I think everyone should be like the Beach Boys. I think it'll have to be their next album though to prove to the bulk of the world, yours truly excluded, that they're more than their famous last names...and that pretty boys really can pop-rock.
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