Phantom Planet - Live EP

One afternoon while I was down in Chapel Hill, NC visiting my friend Robby, I visited the Schoolkids Records on Franklin. As anyone who's been to Schoolkids knows, they have bargain racks full of promo EP's and LP's. Well, this particular afternoon I came across a $0.99 copy of the Live (EP) by Phantom Planet. "Who the hell is Phantom Planet," I asked myself? Then I looked on the back to find that none other than Ken Andrews mixed the EP. So, I bought it. I mean, it's only a buck right? On the way home, driving down highway 49, I decide that I'll throw that sucker in the CD player and give it a go. Well, it's the most incredible, accessible rock music I've heard in long, long time. "They are going to be huge," I say as I listen to the first track, 'Lonely Day.' So, I finish up the CD, which is made up of two tracks taken from their upcoming debut on Epic, The Guest, and three live tracks. The selection of songs on the EP revealed two things to me: 1) they have their fingers in a lot of different music and use those influences in their own songs, 2) they can play that shit live as well as they can play it in the studio. Also, the band is made up of … well, why don't you find that out for yourself. Phantom Planet isn't new. They've released two albums prior to their upcoming release. Phantom Planet Is Missing was released in 1998 on Geffen Records and it must not have gotten too much press, because I and none of my friends have ever heard of it. Then in 1999, they released Polaroid independently ... haven't heard of that one either. Also, if that wasn't enough, they've been on several compilations and soundtracks, most recently on the soundtrack for "Orange County". Needless to say, Phantom Planet's time has come. They get an "A" for effort. All I have to say is that you need to check out Phantom Planet. Find a copy of the Live (EP) or go grab a copy of their Epic debut The Guest on February 26th (or one of their older albums). Also, keep an ear peeled for their first single, 'California,' on the radio. You owe it to yourself to find out if this is the band you've been looking for or not. Please, help me help you. [www.phantomplanetfamily.com]