Zac Martin | Copy Editor

3/01/02

Phantom Planet saves pop!

You may have heard their first single "California" on the soundtrack to "Orange County" or perhaps through the fame of movie star drummer Jason Schwartzman, but however you came across Phantom Planet’s new album "The Guest," you’re bound to enjoy.

Produced by legends Mitchell Froom (Elvis Costello, Crowded House) and Tchad Blake (Pearl Jam, Peter Gabriel), "The Guest" is full of youthful energy and guitar melody that will you make you doubt that this is only their second album.

The songs on the album go from the sublime, like the piano-driven opener "California" to the beautiful, like the maudlin closer "Something is Wrong." The sun-drenched melodies of "Always on my Mind" will have you yearning for some sunny beach and the heart warming "One Ray of Sunlight" will leave you needing another tissue to wipe your eyes on.

Sample "California" at the official fan site and you will be automatically hooked. This is definitely a group to look out for in the coming months, as they will definitely amount to big things.