Phantom Planet - The Guest

There are tons of groups and artists making wonderful pop music these days. *NSYNC, Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, Destiny's Child, Weezer, and Nickelback are all great examples to name a few. No, I'm serious, they are making incredible pop music, they are! I mean, ever since the Beatles called it quits, hasn't pop music meant "popular music"? And would you not agree with me that what's popular in America doesn't stay that way very long? America is all about fads, fashion, and penis envy. The fact of the matter is that pop music thrives directly because of this phenomenon. With everyone in America having to "talk about it at work" the next day, wondering who's dating who, or who's on MTV now, the music industry will give America exactly what it wants. There's really no stopping it and it's depressing. With that said, I'd like to introduce you to the anti-pop, pop group Phantom Planet. They aren't popular and for goodness sakes let's hope it stays that way. I mean, is disco still cool? Their Epic Records debut, The Guest, is nothing short of a masterpiece. When I listened to this record I didn't think that Alex Greenwald had to go through extensive vocal training, a rigorous workout schedule, and a complete makeover to get where he is today. And the rest of the band, Jacques, Darren, Sam, and Jason, are cut from the same mold. We're talking about born and bred musicians here people. These guys were made to make pop music. The album opens with the infectious "California", which may or may not be traveling the airwaves as you read this. Well, before I dive any deeper, with this album you can't complain that it's too produced, because the sweetness is in the production. The sounds and the instruments used to make this music is what makes it so good. Ok, so, "California" gives a wonderful first impression. It's like going to party where you don't know anybody, but you meet that one person who knows everyone. Within seconds you're mingling and enjoying the sites and the sounds with complete strangers, but you don't care, you're having a blast. (ok, so that's probably not the best analogy) Then, because of great sequencing, they give a shot of pure pop (true pop) with the second track, "Always On My Mind". Undeniably my favorite track, this song is another pinnacle of great production ... heck, they all are! Now, yes there are influences, but then there is "honoring influences" (thanks Saul). Phantom Planet goes that route. Come one people, who aren't influenced by something and who is complete original these days? Everything is derivative and there's nothing you can do about it; accept it and enjoy. Phantom Planet knows the difference between ripping someone off and appreciating an album because it takes you to that "place" every single time. How do they know? They made one for us. (* - Pending an explanation of the lines "It cursed us all on our way home / We passed the sights like passing stones", I might reconsider and move my score up to 4.95. If it's about what I think it's about, I don't think an allusion kidney stones is pleasant topic to sing about. But, I had to take off 0.05 points because of the cheesy, 80's sax solo on "Turn Smile Shift Repeat". It doesn't ruin the song though. I'm like a freaking figure skating judge.) [www.phantomplanet.com]