Formed in 2005, this New Jersey band comprises five musicians who each bring their own very different influences and style to the bands overall sound. The result is simply intriguing.
Like their name suggests, Their Planes Will Block Out The Sun also delve into somewhat darker territory and deliver songs about struggle, fear, and confusion. However, there are also some altogether more uplifting tracks that explore the other end of the emotional spectrum such as hope, endearment, devotion.
Pressing play on their album White Dancer sets off a journey that is partly Elbow, a little Editors, a hint of Arcade Fire, a touch of Muse, and a slight nod to the inevitable Radiohead. All of this is tightly knitted together with a host of other things just below the surface that helps create a sound that is very much their own.
The Jersey City five-some comprises of singer, guitarist, and keyboard player Victor Fernandes, the bass of Wayne Green, guitarist Craig Monaco, and the guitars and keys of Mike Nastri. It is all underpinned by the highly impressive and inventive drumming of John Falcone.
Their sound is, as ever, best explained on the band's promotional information which says, “when listening to each song, interwoven in the music, you may hear guitars and keyboards influenced by rhythms of Frank Zappa, the dark harmonies of Wayne Shorter, the beauty of Sigur Ros, the pensive feel of Broken Social Scene or the escaping mood of Elbow.”
It adds, “there are drum beats that are influenced by the poly-rhythmic beats of Bill Bruford or the crisp tightness of Steward Copelend, vocal styles with melancholic emotion of Portuguese Fado and bass lines influenced by the eerie atmospheric sounds of David Lynch and surreal visuals of Terry Gilliam.”
Intrigued? I was. The eight songs that make up White Dancer kick off with the title track, a clever amalgam of everything promised above. With so much going on within this album, it may take a couple of plays before it starts to get under your skin. Sure enough, it does and “Boardwalk Splinters” confirms your hopes and expectations.
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