Planes Mistaken for Stars

Planes Mistaken for Stars: Planes Mistaken for Stars [reissue]Planes Mistaken for Stars [reissue] (1999)
Deep Elm Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

Contributed by: 14theroad14theroad
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on August 25th 2009I was sitting around at almost 3 a.m. listening to this record. And then it came to me to see if it was reviewed and it wasn't, which is a crime against humanity, so here it is. Bear in mind this is the first review of mine so be gentle. This is Planes Mistaken for Stars' first recording, which w.

I was sitting around at almost 3 a.m. listening to this record. And then it came to me to see if it was reviewed and it wasn't, which is a crime against humanity, so here it is. Bear in mind this is the first review of mine so be gentle.

This is Planes Mistaken for Stars' first recording, which was originally self-released in 1998 before being picked up by Deep Elm a year later for a reissue. It's very different in many ways to their later works, but in no way is that a bad thing. It's got that `90s post-hardcore and D.C.-era emo (the real kind) feel to it, reminding me of Still Life in its complexity and bi-polar song structure. It's like that girl you're into that doesn't know what she wants but you stick around because damn, she's sexy.

Getting to the album itself, words are tough to describe. The opener "Copper and Stars" blasts off with a searing riff filled with so much emotion in itself your eyes well up before a single word is spoken. And once those words are spoken in the echoed, drawn-out manner that they are, it's time to invest in a tissue of some variety, because this is one of the few songs I've ever heard this side of Hot Water Music's "Where We Belong" that provoke such a feeling of "Wow man, I'm fuckin' there." You could just picture yourself screaming along to it at a show in dirty, dimly lit basement somewhere with all your friends in tow. And it never ends.

The fourth cut on this album, "The Past Two" seems like the evil twin brother of "Copper and Stars." They're much alike in appearance, with its launchpad riff that leaves you wide-eyed in anticipation for what comes next. And what comes next is what I'd imagine what your worst day could sound like in audio form, with lyrics crooned like the last words of a man who just gave up and walked off into a midnight Denver snow storm never to be seen again: "...I just called and I just wrote to say goodbye. 'Cuz I'm afraid when the snow clears there won't be much left of me." Being a New Englander, these words ring true.

At 24 minutes, this record has a lot going on for itself. Another standout track is "Standing Still Fast," which sounds almost like a mid-summer murmured lullaby after a disappointing day -- the kind of thing you'd find yourself singing to yourself with a half-empty bottle in your hand as you slowly fade off to sleep. It's quiet yet unforgettable with its low swells and haunting melody. It's a style also seen in a previous track, "The Time It Took," but I felt was better executed here --a style that manifests itself throughout the whole album.

Finally, we get to the album closer "Where the Arrow Went Out." This killer starts out fast and strong like others on this release until it comes to a screeching halt where it starts to revisit that low drifting tone seen previously and then kicks it up again. Being the longest one on the album at 5:26, it's like a rollercoaster of emotions where it can't decide if it wants to rage all night or succumb to sleep. But when you get to 2:03, when you've almost let go, you get a cold bucket of guitar sex right in your face, where you proceed to scream and shout at the culprits until you black out.

If you don't own this record, there's something wrong with you. Its terrible beauty is not easily forgotten. The standalone copy from Deep Elm is out of print, so if you can't score one on eBay or something then you can always pick up We Ride to Fight: The First Four Years from No Idea, in which this album was reissued yet again with other PMFS early works and B-sides, including some rad Black Flag covers to put some icing on an already delicious cake.

These guys were so fucking good. I hope they get together soon...

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Combine (August 26, 2009)

This album has definitely aged well, so I agree with the "more copies in ten" comment. Also, and I know people always write things like this, but really nice guys in person. Enthusiastic and earnest about playing loud and interesting music.

sweetsugarpezz (August 26, 2009)

this was the first i heard of planes which was years ago and it still holds up today. the thing that i loved so much about this band was that they played such fuckin dirty rock and roll. there is emotion in all their recordings which i find unmatched by most others.

SilentStorms (August 26, 2009)

I thought this was a very decent review, and considered checking out the album. I have heard these guys before, but they never really appealed to me. Then I read this line:

"If you don't own this record, there's something wrong with you."

Then I realized that this is a bonehead dumbass subjective statement that made me hope this guy doesn't write more reviews. I know these guys are well-liked, but that doesn't mean that everyone in the world should like them. And that statement in quotations above is a pretty dick-headed statement. You're judging people you have never even met, or even interacted with over the internet...which isn't really even interacting.

All in all, good review, but please don't post comments like that. Especially if you're not giving it 5 stars. Pass on your future reviews.

xshoutoutx (August 26, 2009)

This was the ONLY PMFS's album I could ever muster.

eazyd2 (August 26, 2009)

good review for great band

LawnDay (August 25, 2009)

What a fucking band.

14theroad (August 25, 2009)

This review was brought to you by Pabst Blue Ribbon.

SmallYellowChair (August 25, 2009)

great band and a great record. definitely missed. Really like that Git Some record tho

sugarfull (August 25, 2009)

good review.

MyStereoHasMono (August 25, 2009)

I don't know how to put this, but if you don't like PMFS, you're a fucking idiot.

colin (August 25, 2009)

the best thing about planes is that each of their albums stands on its own as some great achievement. while i prefer mercy, any of this band's catalog can be put on and listened to front to back, and no two records hold the same sound. this is a pretty outstanding debut, and while mineral and sunny day real estate get more props, i'd put this up there with their contributions to 'emo.'

i hope gared returns to some of this form ("the time it took") for the hawks and doves lp.

also i wish this would get repressed as a standalone 10" as opposed to with "the first four years." the 7"s aren't that hard to find (i am pretty sure most are still in print or at least available), and i'm just neurotic like that to want the album without bonus stuff. regardless, this is still a spectacular listen either way.

MN_punkmaster-skaman (August 25, 2009)

For the longest time "Fuck With Fire" was my favorite album of theirs. Then I bought "We Ride To Fight" and played this part of the CD all the time. They've always had my interest and are very deeply missed.

deadxlast (August 25, 2009)

"...you get a cold bucket of guitar sex right in your face..."

Please keep writing reviews.

mpc (August 25, 2009)

Fuck I miss this band. To me their pinnacle will always be "Up in Them Guts" though.

Archangel (August 25, 2009)

Went to high school in the suburbs of Denver, spent all of it listening to and seeing this band. Got a tattoo after I flew back for their final show last year.

This EP is so god damn good, as was this band's entire discography. Fanboy comment right here, folks.

eatdogs (August 25, 2009)

this was the first thing i ever got from this band. "the time it took" is probably my favorite track and it's so short too!!! i'ts one of those amazing songs that you wish would last much much longer.

Blackjaw_ (August 25, 2009)

I never thought I'd make a score mistake, people always look dumb when they do that. Mine didn't even make sense either.

Blackjaw_ (August 25, 2009)

Singer's voice always sounded forced to me, could never get over that.

jamespastepunk (August 25, 2009)

Don't bother picking this up, buy The First Four Years on No Idea. You get so much more for your money.

You get this, Knife in the Marathon, Unbroken cover, four Black Flag covers, plus the Fucking Fight single and the single for Thunder In the Night Forever.

Misanthropee (August 25, 2009)

It's a tragedy this band never really found its audience. Most folk I talk to either hate them or don't really know how to peg them. Methinks they'll be selling more records in 10 years than they ever did together.

Love this stuff.