When a pop culture phenomenon like Fox’s “The O.C.” uses one of your songs as its theme, it seems like it would be any band’s dream come true.
However for Phantom Planet, the band behind “The O.C.’s” theme song “California,” fame has proved to be a mixed blessing. While it is true that the band has gained notoriety and a distinguishing feature; it has also dealt a blow to its credibility.
While the band is known for its”hot” lead singer Alex Greenwald, who also models in Gap advertisements, and its ex-drummer, Rushmore’s Jason Schwartzman the band can actually play.
On Phantom Planet’s new self-titled CD, the California-based band reinvents itself with a less pop and more edgy sound.
On first listen, the revamped sound of Phantom Planet is completely different than the pure West Coast melody of their first two albums. In fact, Phantom Planet sounds more like The Strokes, the decade-old band that is famous for its sunny sound.
The new songs, especially the first single, “Big Brat,” fit right in with the new post-punk sound that is dominating both radio and MTV airplay. Not that they don’t sound great doing their new thing.
In addition to the single, songs like “Knowitall” and “Jabberjaw” are loud and jarring tracks about bad girlfriends that fans will definitely be able to scream along too.
“By the Bed” reminds the listener of the bands bouncy roots and bridges the gap between Phantom Planet and the band’s 2002 album, The Guest.
Phantom Planet is definitely more grown up on this album than previous efforts. “The O.C.” fans might be a little surprised by what they find when they listen to the new CD or attend a concert on the band’s upcoming tour. Not that Phantom Planet will mind.
This is a group that wants to be taken seriously and the members themselves say they hope to shock listeners with their new style.
Some listeners will write off Phantom Planet as a copycat act of power-punk bands with a catchy, robotic sound. Most of the lyrics are similar to the band’s previous work.
However, one thing that sets this album apart is that it was produced by veteran music producer Dave Fridmann, who has worked with bands such as the Flaming Lips, and the result is a heavier and more punk versus pop sound.
However, Phantom Planet definitely deserves credit for taking risks when creating more hits for the “O.C.” soundtrack which would have guaranteed the band’s success. This band is definitely one to take seriously.
Phantom Planet is coming to DU and it will play Magness Arena April 12. You can purchase tickets at the box office.
