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Epitaph Records -- Millencolin

Phantom Planet

Phantom Planet
2004
Epic

Phantom Planet - Phantom Planet (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Scott
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Published on January 30th 2004

Say goodbye to Phantom Planet, the one hit wonder. Say goodbye to Phantom Planet, posterboys for "The OC." Say goodbye to Phantom Planet, "that band with the guy from Rushmore in it."

Say hello to Phantom Planet, a band reborn.

Jason Schwartzman's out of the group, and apparently leaving with him was the band's super happy funtime side. This record is balls to the wall from the first track, "The Happy Ending." The fuzzed out bass, the hyperactive guitars, and the plaintive vocals push this track to the brink of destruction, at which point "Badd Business" picks up where it left off, ska-tinged bassline and all. First single "Big Brat" is one of the most fun singalongs I've heard all year, and it's dancable to top it all off.

The album peaks with shoegazer-rocker "You're Not Welcome Here," a spazzed out guitar noise fest freakout that goes on for a tad too long, but is still rather intense. After that point, the album takes a bit of a quieter turn with "By The Bed" and "Knowitall," both being more subdued - but still eons away from the safe sugar-pop of The Guest. The only time the album really recalls their britpop ripoff days is with "After Hours," but it's sandwiched between "Jabberjaw" and "The Meantime," two of the album's best tracks, so all is forgiven.

I'm still in shock listening to this album, and realizing this is the same band who put out The Guest. They've gotten leaner, they've gotten meaner, and they've gotten a shitload better. Their sound is dirty, punky, groove-centric, and just a damn good time. If this band were still underground, New York hipsters would be wetting themselves over this album.

Highly recommended.

VIDEO
Big Brat - Quicktime RealVideo Windows Media lo med hi
Big Brat [live] - Windows Media lo med hi Quicktime RealVideo



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    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 7, 2004 at 1:02 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    ok. i'm sorry.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 6, 2004 at 5:36 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Wastes of flesh? Cmon man put a little effort into it

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 6, 2004 at 1:01 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    these two bickering losers need to just get it out of their systems and hate fuck each other...alright, we get it. you two are both ignorant and juvenile, its not that funny. now start making out, you wastes of flesh.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 6:59 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Sara is my favorite manatee. She's my bestest friend ever.
    twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 6:16 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    pixies reference for sarah(no h). i can't think of that one off the top of my head. are you comparing it to jeffery with one f?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 3:51 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    the amount of time huh. I'm not even on that often. I know you secretly wish I was. I know you get so excited when you see my name on this site.

    Sara(no h)

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 3:42 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I associate my girlfiend not flushing her used tampons with "the rag"
    -randomdipshit

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 3:06 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    With the amount of time and effort you spend on this website its obvious that you aint gettin no dick right now. You can't tell me you're not shopping at lane bryant.
    twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 1:22 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    OH, you wish I was fat. Guys always associate being on "the rag" as a factor for being "pissy". You guys really need to take a sexuality class. Why don't you guys try getting a girlfriend.

    Sara(no h)

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 10:30 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "Sara(no h)"

    Lets keep our references to the Pixies songs to our selves from now on.
    Thanks.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 10:29 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "you're pointless. Face it, everything you do doesn't matter. Why are you even here? You're not going to save the world one day. You're not going to cure a disease. Why did your parents make you? Because it was fun and it felt good. It just sucks that you were the outcome. I don't enjoy the fact that you're here, but I bet your parents enjoyed making you. Now go fuck yourself. twat"
    I dont think YOUR feelings of miscontent in this world is any excuse for mediocre actors to make trendy,generic and just bad music.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 5:29 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "this didn't sound like a scott review."

    Some of the review is obviously inspired by Pitchfork. For example, "ska-tinged." By no means is "ska-tinged" a popular sound qualifying term like shoegazing that is embedded in popular music semantics, but it is uncanny how this description was used in both reviews. Than again, maybe great minds think alive. Yeah, that's the ticket.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 2:51 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    i haven't gotten any pussy since the day i was born, so anything is good enough for me
    -twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 2:00 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Hey twat I apologize for being such a cunt. I've been on the rag and there really isnt any excuse for my behavior. The truth is that I want you inside me. But I'm horribly overweight and would crush you.
    sara(no h)

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 2, 2004 at 6:50 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Sara, i'm sorry i'm just really bored and retarded. i honestly apologize for my moronic insults.
    twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 2, 2004 at 5:35 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    So are you... Naked haahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 2, 2004 at 5:10 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha... Ha. You people are funny.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 2, 2004 at 6:08 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    C'mon now, ripping off the Strokes on THIS record? I don't hear it. I fucking love those poodle haired hipsters tho. I'll be damned if Phantom Planet is gonna tarnish their image in my mind. This record is getting glossier by the second

    Barkley

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 10:39 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Cheaper than a movie.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 10:39 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    This is fun. Keep sweet talkin me.
    twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 9:00 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I'm sorry your peen is so small that you couldn't satisfy your girl, and as a result she became a hairy lesbian. Not all girls hate men, and are lesbian. Girls just don't like your small smelly dick.

    Sara(no h)

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 8:20 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    You're the one with the hatred of men. Maybe this homophobia of yours is because you're actually in denial. If you're a lesbian, I'm cool with it. Not if you're fat or ugly like I'm pretty sure you are. Ugly lesbians suck.
    twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 5:54 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    It's cause alot of you guys are stupid. Whenever someone states an opinion and someone else doesn't agree they start name calling. And then it becomes this attack/defense position. Maybe some of you need to stop reading reviews if you're so emotional about it.

    Sara(no h)

    Posted by soulbleed on 2004-02-01 17:14:19
    My Score:

    man, twat might just be more hated than me. congrats, it's a tough act to keep up.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2004-02-01 16:55:13
    My Score:

    http://www.punknews.org/article.php?sid=7634

    Can't imagine why Bornbackwards thinks that way of us!...

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 4:51 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I only asked if you were at first. Now I'm pretty sure you are. Now shut up you dumb ass. Stop trying so hard.

    Sara (no h)

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 4:46 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    How can you say I'm a "white trash woman basher" when you're calling me a fag? You be a hypocrite. Silly little girl needs to make up her mind. Isn't it about time you call daddy up for some more money.
    twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 3:47 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    you're as gay as they come. Stop overcomponsating with you're white trash woman bashing it doesn't fool me.

    Sara (no h)

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 3:18 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    hey sara with a c-u-n-t, where in my little rant did i say i actually like this band? Um thats right i didn't. I just like to argue. Whats with the gay bashing you homophobe? This isn't elementary school. If you like someone you don't pull their hair or call them a fag. If you want my cock just tell me.
    twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 1:58 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    wah wah wah. You must be on the Phantom Planet Street team or something. Are you gay like Alex Greenwald? Don't be sad cause you're shitty band sucks.

    Sara( no h)

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 1:15 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    this didn't sound like a scott review.

    Posted by Imposs1ble on 2004-02-01 11:25:01
    My Score:

    This score is the reward that "twat" will get if he can tell me what that word means...without looking it up.
    I'm just wondering if twat is the word of the day, and when he finds out what areola means, that will be the new signature.

    (new Terry Tate today, www.reebok.com)

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 6:55 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    twat....yeah man, you told them. YOU ARE ONE ROUGH TUMBLER. GRRRRRR

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 3:45 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Twat puts way too much time and effort into trying to piss people off... This score is for the soundtrack to Rushmore. The Creation are great, I didn't mind the revitalized interest.

    -BSD

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 1:10 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Slackers was a highly underated movie.

    ...evildeadalive

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 12:08 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Is it sara with a c-u-n-t? Is that how you spell it? Cuz ya should. My name is john but with a h-u-g-e-c-o-c-k. Your parents are retarded.
    twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 12:05 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    It's funny that everyone says that phantom planet is totally ripping off the strokes. But the strokes didn't exactly write the handbook for this shit now did they? Can anyone say velvet underground? gang of four ring any bells. now all of you kindly suck my balls.
    twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 12:02 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    you're pointless. Face it, everything you do doesn't matter. Why are you even here? You're not going to save the world one day. You're not going to cure a disease. Why did your parents make you? Because it was fun and it felt good. It just sucks that you were the outcome. I don't enjoy the fact that you're here, but I bet your parents enjoyed making you. Now go fuck yourself.
    twat

    Posted by soulbleed on 2004-01-31 19:43:15
    My Score:

    phantom planet went from sounding like one or two other bands to sounding like 700 other bands. this isn't a really bad album, it's just pointless.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 31, 2004 at 4:58 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Boring.

    Sara(no h)

    Posted by yellowtrash on 2004-01-31 15:51:13
    My Score:

    This is a pretty catchy album, but after listening to this for a week, it just gets left on the cd shelf. Maybe it lost it's lasting power.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 31, 2004 at 3:37 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    HAHAHAHAHA...ripping on The Strokes is sooooo funny. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, you are now punk, baby! Woooo!

    (www.reebok.com has new Terry Tate starting tomorrow)

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 31, 2004 at 3:35 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I still propose a movie section to this site.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 31, 2004 at 2:26 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I just read through all of the comments, and I think someone said the Strokes were a good band. I'm not sure how to respond.

    Posted by i-type-poorly on 2004-01-31 13:01:03
    My Score:

    i just watched the music video. It started out ok with what looked like a frat version of "Ba Ba Ba Ba Ba" then turned into a super awesome genuis zombie video! Then fucked it up with the emo ending. Now i'm all pissed.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 31, 2004 at 9:47 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    hmmm? I never noticed the Hot Hot Heat influence but I certainly do now. In other news of this record, I heard one of my rmates playing "Big Brat" a few months ago upon ripping this disc from soulseek (WE FUCKING PAY FOR MUSIC SO SHUT THE FUCK UP ALREADY) I thought hmmm this is the best Blur song I've heard in years, then I found out it was Phantom Planet. I kinda figured that they were going to go for a Hellacopters sound this time around.

    Barkley

    Posted by heelturn on 2004-01-31 01:54:02
    My Score:

    "rushmore, rushmore, rushmore, (slackers), donnie darko, rushmore, rushmore, models, actors, rushmore, the strokes". you fruits are giving me a headache.

    Posted by noreply on 2004-01-30 20:31:12
    My Score:

    le sigh.

    Posted by bluetunehead on 2004-01-30 20:27:10
    My Score:

    the kid from rushmore was the drummer in the band, but he left recently.

    the singer is the bully from donnie darko.

    Posted by noreply on 2004-01-30 19:05:27
    My Score:

    wait, so is this that band with the guy from Rushmore in it or not?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 4:23 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Jason swartzman!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 4:21 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Big Brat is a catchy little single, but really, this album is a lop of shit. This line really sums up the album: "If this band were still underground, New York hipsters would be wetting themselves over this album"

    Too bad they're not, they're just jumping on the bandwagon. Hot Hot Heat indeed.

    --Cos

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 3:51 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    hot hot heat?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 3:50 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    doesnt it have the bully from donnie darko in the band too? hes totally core man.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 3:14 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    yeah i miss the old phantom planet...

    Posted by i-type-poorly on 2004-01-30 14:14:09
    My Score:

    wow, maybe i should give it a chance...

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 1:51 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I don't know how I feel about this. To say that this album has a "hard" edge is a tad mis-leading in my opinion. Underneath it all there seems to still be a glossy-our singer is a model/actor feel to it. I like it, but I don't love it.

    Barkley

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 1:37 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    shittiest review scott....if you put the effort into your reviews that you put into letting people know how you're a fucking straight edge/anti drug/anti sex moron maybe they'd be good. i love you LOVE TO FUCKING THROW THAT CRAP AROUND.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 1:13 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i need to hear this.

    for reals.

    Posted by bluetunehead on 2004-01-30 12:41:03
    My Score:

    "on respones to your whole new band comment, what do you expect when u lose what 3 out of 5 memebers?"

    they lost 1 out of 5, and he wrote one of the songs on the album.

    Posted by Jesse on 2004-01-30 11:54:10
    My Score:

    Yeah, it seems like they did hit the garage rock fad, but they do it REALLY WELL. They took a hint from what's hippin' and hoppin' these days, and they made great songs. Just because a band's style is somewhat cliché to the time period doesn't mean the songs are going to be any less good. Badd Business is a rocker, fo' sho'.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 11:47 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    How can you say this is better? All they really did was jump on the band wagon of all the popular bands these days, for example THE STROKES (good band),The Vines and all that polished to be "unpolished" crap. I have no idea what this cd wants to be. It's badd.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 11:12 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    on respones to your whole new band comment, what do you expect when u lose what 3 out of 5 memebers?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 10:56 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Agreed.

    I bought this a few weeks ago. Whole new band.