PHANTOM PLANET - RAISE THE DEAD

(AU magazine June 2007)

(FUELED BY RAMEN)

Of all the music released into the public domain this year, it would be tough come December 31st to say that Phantom Planet weren't Band Most Improved in Pop's Great Yearbook. From drippy, downbeat rock to a record swathed in the bright shiny robes of success, if this, their fourth release, isn't their biggest there's no pop justice. So what's on show? From vocally melodramatic opener ‘Raise The Dead’, it just gets better, with enthusiastic indie stomper ‘Dropped’, through instructive dance number ‘Do The Panic’. A light, unique, sensitive, intelligent record with a whole lot of heart and soul.