High Above
Jimi Hendrix often talked of making colors with his music – regardless of the different types of narcotics in his system, he found that certain sounds produced certain colors. Think of Beyond the Horizon, the second album by People in Planes, as the Starry Night of rock music.
Originally from Wales, the quintet decided to use four producers and seven studios across America to record Beyond the Horizonand it's displayed in each track through an endless amount of creativity that rivals psychedelic pioneers Pink Floyd. However, the album is structured enough to gain lust from the average ear.
"Last Man Standing" is planted by graveyard keys but rides atop an ocean of layered acoustic and electric guitars, each with an individual effect. The rhythmic, driving riff is pecked away by random fluttering noises.
The hip-shaking rhythmic riffs continue in "Get on the Flaw" with a choppy, keyed violin and punching drums before rolling into a chorus of rolling toms, a thick-toned bass line and inventive guitar work played by Peter Roberts, part-time vocalist, full-time songwriter and over-time lead guitarist.
In "Flesh and Blood," Roberts relieves front man Gareth Jones of vocal responsibility, producing ill-pronounced moans aside an acoustic guitar and stiff drum beat in a cooler-than-Death Cab kind of way. The track also bares resemblance to the Cold War Kids at parts, with doors closing, toilets flushing and footsteps.
PIP's Nirvana influence is evident in "Vampire," which would be more appropriately titled, "Lake of Fire pt. 2," because of the repetitive slides up and down the guitar neck and cement-filled kicks offset by a slapping snare. Robert's guitar is untouchable as his quick-picked wah crawls across the smooth vocals of Jones.
People in Planes is comprised of creative and talented musicians that play thoughtful rock n roll with a sincere swagger. Their music is intricate without losing a bite of emotion. It's classic in a sense but one would be pressed to find a band that comes across more modern than People in Planes.
Fly on over to www.peopleinplanes.com.