Second album for the fast rising Welsh rockers
People In Planes have had an intense year so far, and the release of their second album (in case you missed 2006’s ‘As Far As The Eye Can See’) seems to have gained them popularity right across the board, from mainstream radio to alternative magazines. And they’ve nabbed a fair few jammy support slots along the way.
‘Intense’ is the best description of this collection. Opener ‘Last Man Standing’ is a simple yet powerful stomp reminiscent of recent Elbow or a more upbeat Radiohead. Then it’s all change as we power into the crunching electronic buzz of ‘Mayday (M’aidez)’ and it becomes Muse without the rocket obsession, crossed with any of the more conventional mainstream indie bands.
It’s hard to imagine that this hard-edged sound was achieved at the country retreat of a studio that is the legendary Rockfield. Then you look at the disturbingly long list of producers and contributors and nothing surprises you anymore. Into the band’s mix we can add producer Dan Austin (Massive Attack, Doves) and Eleven (QUOTSA, RHCP).
Experimental without the emphasis on the ‘mental’, People In Planes create an emotive and forceful set of hard pop songs. And they do hang somewhere just in the middle of progressive in terms of instruments and sounds, but rooted firmly in pop song arrangement. The best of both worlds, welded together with pounding keyboards, resounding guitar riffs, dynamic drumming, and plaintive lyrics. ‘Better Than Life’ is a dynamic tour-de-force that showcases the best of Gareth Jones’ voice combined with accessibly progressive instrumental wall of sound. Before you know it, you’re completely hooked into the whole album. On the other hand, ‘Get On The Flaw’ uses gorgeous strings to rein the whole thing in and stop it spiralling the way of most rock music…
‘Beyond The Horizon’ is building on the trend for hard rock balladry combined with indie attitude, and has excelled, making fans from almost every sub-genre going. It could even be the album that makes them a household name. Or at least their own headline act.
A solid contender for album of the year and a good start for anyone looking to expand their own musical horizons.