"Beyond The Horizon" is probably my most anticipated album of 2008. I haven't really looked forward to a new album like this since "In Utero" by Nirvana. The feelings were the same even though it’s over ten years later. As I waited for this new album I listened to their first album over and over, waiting and wanting it to be bigger and better.
On receiving the CD I was very pleased with the package. The album actually comes with a free Live DVD which I have only seen a select few tracks off so far but that looks amazing and showcases how amazing PIP are live. After a first listen to the album the thing that disappointed me most was unbeknown to me I had actually already heard four of the twelve tracks on this album. The first listen to this actually just skimmed me by cause I had been anticipating listening to it for so long.
The usual quirky weirdness of People in Planes is still present in this album. They have the ability to slip in some VERY strange timing into songs and pulling it off like it is 4/4. I honestly attribute most of this to the lead guitarist Pete Roberts. He is one of those guitarists that have his own style, much like Mike Einziger of Incubus. The grandeur is also present with the bands ability to build you up to a climax only to drop you right down to the mere beauty of nothingness and Gareth Jones lead vocal to sooth you through what should feel like emptiness.
In parts this album is more experimental than its predecessor, and in parts it is much more run of the mill basic rock and roll music. I think this is done to a great degree though and should see these guys garnering a bunch more fans from the release of this record.
My favourite track on this album which might surprise some people is "Flesh and Blood". The song really highlights the bands diversity. It's completely original and the chorus is catchy as hell -”We're Flesh and Blood... Ooh". I also like the different sounding voice in this song and the sheer attitude used especially with the way this new voice spurts out the words:
Don’t give me your opinion cause you know where you can stick it!
The title track is a weird one to me because I don't really feel it is worthy enough of a song to warrant naming an album after. This choice might be based off lyrical content and concept alone but don't be fooled in to thinking this will be your stand out track on this album. It's still good - don't get me wrong - but IMO there are better songs on this album.
"Last Man Standing", "Know by Now", "Mayday [M'Aidez]" and "Pretty Buildings" are all stand out tracks on the album also HOWEVER these were the four aforementioned tracks that I had already heard prior to receiving this album.
I'm not too sure what to think of "Tonight the Sun". The opening line states "It looks like there is no cake left for me" which is shortly followed by "Why don't you cut your hair with cutlery? So you can see your targets much more clearly". I am left unsure if this is some LSD inspired, John Lennon-esque lyrics or just some gibberish. I am still to figure this out. The song is good generally but I find it really hard to latch on to the meaning of the lyrics.
After the aforementioned track the album just seems to lull down and not have the attack, confidence and swagger of the rest of the album. It's weird too because it's from this point that all sorts of weird topics come into the album like aliens, Lucifer, hatred, vampires etc and People in Planes borderline go from being my favourite band of the moment to just being the geeks in the back of the class, losing a slight amount of the "WOW" and "COOL" factor I had previously attributed to them.
"Vampire" on instant listen has a VERY similar melody and refrain both lyrically and musically (in the verses) of the version of "Plateau" by the Meat Puppets as performed by Nirvana unplugged for MTV. So much so in fact that it makes me not really get along with this song because the whole time I am hearing a different song in my head.
In summary, don't misinterpret my comments here. I am a massive fan of this band and as such I wanted something amazing from this album. Unfortunately I only feel like I got what I wanted for 3/4 of the album. There are 8 amazing tracks on this album (the four best were released prior to the album to listen to) and four B-Side quality tracks. The weird thing here is also the track listing choices because all four of what in my opinion are the mediocre "b-side" tracks run into one another (tracks 9-12).
If People in Planes had left this album as a nine track masterpiece then this would have been a 10/10. Due to the weird direction and song choices for the end of the album I find myself having to give it 7 out of 10. There are some amazing tracks on this album that just get shadowed by mediocrity and poor track listing choices.
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People in Planes - Beyond The Horizon
People in Planes with Stereophonics / Filter