LA based rock quintet Phantom Planet formed just over 25 years ago in 1994 with band members still in their teens just barely out of high school. Named after the 1961 B movie The Phantom Planet, their sound at the time was compared to Weezer with a heavy Beach Boys/Electric Light Orchestra influence. They played their first gig ever at the prestigious Troubadour in Hollywood, California and from there on gigged frequently in and around the Hollywood area eventually catching the eye of a Geffen Records executive eager to cash in on a Weezer soundalike band.
After disappointing sales of their 1998 debut album Phantom Planet Is Missing the band were unceremoniously dropped by Geffen Records’ parent label Universal Music. Undeterred the band bounced back eventually signing a new deal with Epic Records. Four years would pass until their sophomore effort The Guest would appear in 2002. Bolstered by an unrelenting touring regiment of 18 months on the road, their efforts paid off when their song “California” was chosen as the theme song for Fox Network’s hit TV show The O.C.
Two albums and some six years later the band were on their third record label in nine years and on the verge of calling it quits. Drummer Jason Schwartzman (yes, THAT Jason Schwartzman) and guitarist Jacques Brautbar quit the band leaving just the trio of original members Alex Greenwald (lead vocals/guitar) Sam Farrar (bass) and Darren Robinson (lead guitar). In the fall of 2008 the band announced on their website that they would be playing their last show December 12, 2008 at The Troubadour in Los Angeles stating:
“Sadly, Phantom Planet will be playing our last show, December 12, at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, the same venue that we played our very first live all ages gig, back in 1994. We have had an amazing time playing together for 15 years, but we have officially decided to go on hiatus.”
Twelve years and numerous side projects and solo albums later Phantom Planet are back with their first new album since 2008’s Raise The Dead. Peppered here and there with the odd rocker Devastator works best when the band, now a quartet, focuses on balladry and their baroque pop roots, most notably on tracks “Leave A Little Light On”, “Through The Trees”, “Gold Body Spray”, “Dear Dead End” and “Torture Me”. Released on Gong Records this 11 track 42 minute long record will most likely appeal to fans of the band’s first two records. Only time will tell whether the band members, now middle aged, choose to stick it out for another 15 years of Phantom Planet or decide to retreat back to hiatus status.
7/10
Bi-Weekly Record Review 11/26