PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS
We Ride To Fight
(No Idea Records)
9/10
In 2002 I had the privilege of watching the loudest band I have ever heard. That band was Planes Mistaken For Stars. These guys have the best band name ever, have been going for 10 years, and have just recently called it quits - and yes, this sucks. So if you have never heard of this awesome rock 'n' fucking roll band the best place to start is with their latest release, titled 'We Ride Tonight'. The album is a collection of their first four years of releases, 24 songs, including the entire self-titled album, the 'Knife In The Marathon' album, 'Spearheading the Sin Movement' EP, 'Fucking Fight' EP, four Black Flag covers, plus assorted compilation songs and extras. No band has ever come close to copying the angry, harsh and growling, teeth-gritting screamo-core that Planes Mistaken For Stars do oh-so-well. In this day and age, with so many wannabe bands that are here one minute and gone the next, isn't it about time we all just fucking showed some love to a honest hard-working band for a change? If you come and buy this, I will give you multiple high-fives for being a rad human being...seriously (Paul Voge).
JIM WARD
Quiet
(Civil Defense League/EMI)
8/10
News of Jim Ward's solo release came as quite a shock, with his announcement on the Soundwave bill the first real word of the project. Perhaps the most accurate descriptor for 'Quiet' comes from its title. The EP presents Ward as a singer/songwriter, swapping an electric guitar packed with distortion for an acoustic and a harmonica. First track 'On My Way Back Home' opens with a palm-muted crescendo, introducing the listener to the folk-driven sound. While small elements of ukulele, piano and backing vocals can be found on corners of the EP, for the majority it is the bare basics. 'Take It Back' and 'Coastlines' evokes memories of the softer moment on 'Threes', when Sparta took a more adult-contemporary look at things. In essence, this is what 'Quiet' is - a more mature, refined approach to music (Alchemist).
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