The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 367

People in Planes - As Far As the Eye Can See 5/10


When researching this band, I see they were pretty big in their day, or at least had their songs in some shows and commercials. I've never heard of them, but maybe because they sound like a generic rock band. The songs are what you think of when you hear the term "rock 'n roll." It's not a bad thing, but not really my thing. There is some variety though. "Barracuda" seems like it could have been an influence on The Black Keys. I get some Pixies vibes from "If You Talk Too Much (My Head Will Explode)" and I found myself singing along to its hypnotic-like chorus. Overall, I don't see myself coming back to this, but the band is good at what they do.

Thanks, @Patterns in Traffic

 

The Trash Boat review was a bonus trade I did with @Bad Frequencies. I am always up for more of those. Hit me up!

 

I recommend checking out their follow up to this record called Beyond The Horizon. I was so so on the first one but love the second one.

 

I ended up really liking this too. I really liked his scream and honestly wish the songs were heavier for longer, but I liked the mix of metal and pop punk for sure.

 

Trash Boat are fantastic and the lead singer is such a wicked guy. Love seeing them get bigger in America as well as here in the UK.

 

Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Her earlier albums are much more poppy while her latest is more indie. And I didn't know about her instrumental prowess either!

 

I listened on Spotify and every time it ended, it would go to another album of hers and I agree they seemed way more poppy when compared to Girl Talk. Still good either way, she's talented.

 

Let me pitch an idea.
Make a playlist of 10 songs that are important to you and we’ll trade. Any takers? We won’t even have to write reviews.

 

I just made one and it’s 29 songs, so I have trimming to do haha

 

Spotify? I'm down!

 

I have Apple Music.
I guess I can screenshot my playlist and you can make it and listen...?
That’s the one flaw...

 

Haha apple music has more stuff anyway. Is there a free version like Spotify? I'll just download it at work as well.

 

There’s a 3 months free trial and a $4.99/month student membership

 

Sorry to hear this wasn't really your thing. When you said you were into experimental stuff I thought this might be up your alley. I'm surprised that you felt it sounded generic, as I find their sound to be pretty unique. I would describe them as kind of a mix of rock/experimental/psychedelic/jam. And unlike a lot of bands in those genres I find their stuff to be really catchy (though it definitely took a bit to grow on me so it's not too surprising to have a lukewarm immediate response). I do appreciate the honest review though!

I like Beyond the Horizon a lot too. It's more immediate and more mainstream sounding IMO, but it didn't have the same quirky charm or lasting value for me as this album did.

 

Thanks to @SamLevi11, I'm reviewing Trash Boat's "Nothing I Write You Can Change What You've Been Through," which is a fantastic album rich with deep lyrics, driving guitar riffs, great bass, an on-point drummer, and animated, passion-fueled vocals.



This was my first time listening to Trash Boat, and I can't wait to explore their other records. I'm a huge fan of British acts such as Kate Nash, Foals, and Arctic Monkeys but this was my first time listening to a British "pop-punk" band! This album was a great listen and I'd love to be able to see them live at some point as well since just listening to this record made me want to rock out as hard as I could. And as someone who doesn't listen to a lot of newer pop-punk (I'm perpetually stuck in the early 2000's!), this was extra refreshing.

The album maintains a unique sound of well-crafted melodic hardcore/pop-punk throughout, with elements of bands such as The Movielife, The Wonder Years, and a tiny bit of Sum-41 coming through on their songs. The record was actually produced by TWY's Dan "Soupy" Campbell, so at times "Nothing I Write..." sounds very slightly Wonder Yearsy. According to Genius lyrics, Dan has a writing credit on their second track, How Selfish I Seem and also lends his vocals to the opening track, which is Strangers:

"Pick heads off forget-me-nots – the faded light of memories
The spirit of the summerhouse it still hasn’t left me
A haze over the house we shared, a flag of permanent defeat
I’m screaming at the august sun, I know you can hear me

Over and over in my head (Over and over)
I haven’t convinced myself yet (We’re not getting older)

Won’t force you down, never will, I guess I’ll just see you around
Heart beats me down, hollow now this house is a burial ground
I guess I’ll just see you around
So lay the weight of your world on me

Upset was overdue, I feel empty like your bedroom
The pressure’s building, it’s caving the walls
Trace the cracks and just wait for it to swallow me whole
How stupid I’ve been to think it’d be easy
Hostile and faceless but you see right through me"

What makes this such a good record is the high-quality penmanship paired with excellent musicianship. I love the line "Won't force you down, never will, I guess I'll just see you around." It's a refreshing change from the whiney, resentful, emotionally manipulative narrative that has plagued many other (pop-punk) songs. The record touches on the subjects of relationships and mental health in a way that is intelligent, catchy, and memorable. Let me say it again, this record is fucking fantastic.

With Tring Quarry, I actually had to look up what exactly a "Tring Quarry" was--basically a pit filled with water somewhere in the UK. The video for the song is a lot of fun, with the members of the band all filmed in separate locations to establish a sense of self-doubt and nostalgia.

The record slows down with the song Brave Face, which features the album's title in its lyrics:

"I spent yesterday
Trying to numb the pain
Had to hold myself together
Knowing I could say it better
Every letter is in vain

Wish I was bleeding on this page
I know it’d mean a lot to you

I know that nothing I write you
Can change what you’ve been through
I hope you found some room to grow"

This song is actually about lead singer Tobi Duncan's strained relationship with his father, which I found out through a Kerrang! interview here, where Duncan also discusses some of the more existential elements of the record and says some awesome things about gender not being a two-way street.

It's hard to pin-point a favorite track on the record, since they're all incredibly strong and well-done but perhaps a favorite will emerge later on down the line.

The album closes with You Know, You Know, You Know, which ends on a high note of cautious optimism in the face of someone else's depression.

"So I’m writing songs, staying strong
Call me back, it’s been so long
Life just like you always said
“If it can it will go wrong”

Writing songs, staying strong
Off the ropes I’m already gone
Always falling could you call me back it’s been so long

I’m writing songs, staying strong
Call me back, it’s been so long
Life just like you always said
“If it can it will go wrong”

I crept inside your head
But I can’t pretend I know a single thing
About what you’ve been feeling"

Thanks again, @SamLevi11. This record is an absolute treasure and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality, intelligent, and energetic album.

 

That's awesome! And she really is! I love her voice so much and she also seems to be a lovely person as well (she also plays Rhonda on GLOW!)

 

I reviewed their new album last page and I LOVE it. I'll have to listen to this one now.

 

I saw!! And I'll have to check out their new record now especially!!!

 

Two trash Boat reviews in one day lol

 

I was going to try and post sooner but I got caught up listening to the new Panic! record this week

 

I’ve only heard Fever, but I decided to give it a try. I love it.

 

It’s so ridiculously catchy and self-indulgent. Lol it’s like eating your favorite treat all the time.

 

Lol just realized that I missed the perfect chance to use your username as a pun in my last post, @xapplexpiex!!

 

Lololololol

 

I'm up for it. New music is always a plus.