CD Review
Artist: Phantom Planet
Title: Raise the Dead
Label: Warner Music
Released: April 15^th, 2008 

Reviewed By: Sarah Miller (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada)

Phantom Planet is probably best known as ‘that band who wrote the theme song for the O.C.' or ‘that band that Jason Schwartzman used to play in.' But Schwartzman left the band after the release of their third album, Phantom Planet in 2004 to pursue his movie career, and the O.C. ended in 2007.  Since then, Phantom Planet has set out to reinvent themselves. It took nearly four years, but they eventually managed to pare down the 120 tracks they wrote to just 12 and release their fourth album, Raise the Dead in April.

Raise the Dead is a catchy and fun pop-rock album with lots of "C'mon, C'mon's!" and guitar hooks. The first single, ‘Do the Panic' is a foot stomping, fist pumping rock anthem. ‘Dropped' is a fun keyboard driven tune perfect for anyone who ever listened to old school Nintendo music and felt like dancing. ‘Leader' manages to make a catchy sing-song tune out of a cult indoctrination. The title track, ‘Raise The Dead' sounds a little bit like something Damien Rice would write if he were into pop-rock.

Phantom Planet has proved they can write a rock anthem with the best of them. Raise the Dead is a solid album from a band that has been making music for a long time. They've mixed a little bit of 60s pop influence with modern rock and roll, and it is danceable and good for cranking up loud. Fans of bands like The Kooks and Ok Go will definitely enjoy this album. You can catch Phantom Planet on tour with Panic at the Disco and Jack's Mannequin this summer. 

Suggested Downloads: ‘Raise the Dead'; ‘Do the Panic'; ‘Dropped'

Track Listing:
Raise the Dead
Dropped
Leader
Do the Panic
Quarantined
Ship Lost at Sea
Demon Daughters
Geronimo
Too Much Too Often
Confess
Leave Yourself for Somebody Else
I Don't Mind