| And Then There Were None Who Speaks For Planet Earth? |
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 | Tracklist:
1. Murmurs of…
2. John Orr The Arsonist
3. The Hospital
4. Reinventing Robert Cohn
5. Action Is The Anecdote
6. The Atmosphere
7. Cloak and Dagger
8. Right Here Waiting
9. Bed Of Nails
10. Thank The Watchmaker
11. The Alamo
12. Insozzz…
Release Date: 02/24/2008 | |
| | other reviews | Matthew Dippel (4)
As a band going in a new direction, And Then There Were None manage to put out a good album that wil... | Pedro B. (3.5)
Solid outing with an original concept, but marred by excessive repetition.... |
On 5 Lists
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| Summary: An album that changed my perceptions on music |
2 of 2 thought this review was well written
At some point in a person’s life they encounter an event; maybe a movie, maybe a real life situation, maybe a musical album, that changes the way they look at that particular element of their life. For me, that time was when I picked up Who Speaks For Planet Earth? by New Hampshire based And Then There Were None.
Originally a metalcore band, ATTWN released their debut album, The Hope We Forgot Exists, before member changes and a longing to play a more open style transformed them into the dance-pop band that they are today. Don’t get me wrong though, just because ATTWN plays a style of European dance-pop does not mean that their metal roots are completely gone from the mix. The guitarists still have an important role, such as in Reinventing Robert Cohen and Thank the Watchmaker, where they provide a nifty wall of backing chords along with some riffs thrown in the mix. The drums also show a trace of their metal roots, as the mostly electronic drums ebb and flow, with patterns more common in metal versus pop.
Although this band has traces of their metal roots, this is a pop band, and the band’s sound is dominated by the keyboard and synth work. At the forefront of everything, the keys flourish with a variety of loops, pads and licks that whirl and spin amidst the backdrop of guitar and drums. Songs like The Atmosphere, and Bed of Nails are just a few of the tracks that showcase the keyboard work on Who Speaks for Planet Earth?
The drums are a mix of electric and acoustic fare, with some fairly original fills and patterns for the most part, although the band does tend to fall back on the same single kick bass sound for a fair majority of the record, but this does not really distract from the overall atmosphere of the record. Bass is present on this record, but as with the drums, a lot of it is of the electric variety.
Vocals are another highlight of the album. The vocalist displays a good singing voice, and the ability to sing in both low octaves (The Atmosphere) as well as higher ones (Action is the Antidote). Along with perfectly placed backing vocals, this album just drips with catchy hooks and clever lyrics. Although the lyrics are Christian in nature, they can be interpreted in a variety of ways, and do not suffer from any lapses or repetitiveness.
Who Speaks for Planet Earth? Was an album that opened musical doors for me. It showed me a world outside the realm of metal, and inspired me to check out many non-metal artists and expand my musical horizons. Hopefully reading this will inspire you to pick up this album, as it is a very good pop album, and could very well expand your own personal musical tastes.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 5
I figured I would try to validate why I like this album so much....
Digging: Conducting From the Grave - When Legends Become Dust | | | Album Rating: 3
Eh. I've owned this album since it came out, but this isn't a five. Not even close. Innovative in today's world, yeah, but not a five.
Digging: Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane | | |
Went to high school with the dudes from this band.
Digging: Drudkh - Blood In Our Wells
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I've been digging "Reinventing Robert Cohn" lately, might give the rest of this a try. 5 might be pushing it, but clearly this record holds some sentimental value for you, so no worries.
Digging: Believer - Gabriel
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
ah 5? i think not
Digging: Nine Inch Nails - Broken [EP] | | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Fuck off, its a 5 if he thinks it deserves a 5.
Its a great album, i hope more people see this review than the veeery few who saw mine.
Fucking pos'd man, good job.
Digging: The Beatles - Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band | | |
For an album that means a lot to you, it's not really clear why you think is great, other than it opened new musical doors to you.
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At least one of these guys that I know of used to take a course (or more) at my online highschool.
Digging: Arcade Fire - Funeral
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
The fact that it opened new doors for him musically is a HUGE reason to give this a 5.
If he was confined to (mostly) metal, and Who Speaks For Planet Earth? made him realize that pop and other genres have outstanding artists as well, then he will remember it as the album that led him to hundreds of new albums.
If anything, its a sentimental thing, not to mention this is a goddam fantastic record.
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
I appreciate the fact that this album means a lot to you, to each his own you know? I know i've rated albums as 5's because of their sentimental value, i just happen to disagree with this one, probably because these guys used to be one of my favorite bands when they played metalcore, so i'm pretty biased.
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Eh they were a pretty shitty metalcore band. Like AILD sans any production quality. Got boring too fast.
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
quite true, but i loved them for their live shows and yes, sentimental value.
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
then thats respectable.
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