Reviews

You first heard of Phantom Planet when their infectious hit "California" became the theme song to The O.C. - the show about troubled rich-kids with drug and alcohol addictions. But their latest release, Raise the Dead, contains little traces of the laid-back 2000 Phantom Planet. Blending the chaotic vocal style of Modest Mouse and the hooky guitar riffage of Arcade Fire, Raise the Dead is brimming with a bold, refreshing style that's effortless.

Alex Greenwald's vocals shine throughout the album as he jumps from a frenzied Isaac Brock-ish approach into a New York Dolls/David Johansen retro punk sound; and he masters it quite well. Title track "Raise the Dead" starts off with clean, crisp vocals and an anthemic clap that leads into a tight melody and catchy chorus. "Dropped" combines synths and an electric pop sound resonant of the disco glam era, but gives it a fresh spin with its contagious line "Tell me that you want me, tell me that you need me, tell me 'cuz I want to know."

"Leader" begins with a hum and with the addition of expansive guitar riffs and a background sing along between Greenwald and a group of children becomes a sunny anthem, but its lyrics are laced with crazy cult rhetoric: "There are so many signs the end is now. / Our leader told us so besides follow him blind, to and fro. / Wherever he decides to go." This track, likely inspired by Charles Manson and the Manson Family killings, will probably become a standout track and theme song to Dexter.

Greenwald's vocals on "Do the Panic" are soaked in something sweet but the bopping vocals in the background make the track a little too syrupy. A drowning drum beat starts off "Ship Lost At Sea" and drips with scratchy vocals and retro guitars that swell up towards the end. "Geronimo" is another standout track that starts out slow and builds up into a loud raucous. The rambunctious, retro melody and screechy vocals of "Leave Yourself for Somebody Else" is an uplifting track despite its title; it's guaranteed to generate a dance and sing along party. The album dries up on tracks like "I Don't Mind" and "Too Much Too Often," which sound like fillers amongst other stand out tracks.

Raise the Dead is a surprising hit for a band that lost one of its prime players - drummer Jason Schwartzman left to focus on a full-time acting career. But the band isn't hurting, in fact they sound like they don't mind.