PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS Prey – Vinyl LP (magenta)

Pressing info : First pressing on magenta vinyl LP.

Planes Mistaken For Stars formed in Peoria, Illinois in 1997, and relocated to Denver Colorado in 1999. From the outset, they were an artistic anomaly; carrying both a worn rust belt heart a warm midwestern soul. Collectively they combined different kinds of musical rebellion; hardcore aggression, punk energy, and gritty rock n’ roll spirit into their own special noise. Ultimately laying the blueprint for today’s emotional punk rock resurgence.

“Prey” is the long awaited new album from Planes Mistaken For Stars. Produced and engineered by Sanford Parker (Wovenhand, Leviathan, Yob), “Prey” is a beautifully haunting return to form. In need of isolation to finish writing the album, founder Gared O’Donnell took to the road alone. Instead of finding a predictable muse, he found himself driving deep into the crumbling heart of middle America. There, Gared took up residence in decrepit motels, finding inspiration in the descending darkness surrounding him.

Chaotic opener “Dementia Americana” serves as a rude awakening with the lyrical crescendo of “Wake Up!” being shouted over and over again. It’s as if the creators are fighting to emerge from the eternal tumble of a nightmare. From there, the next five songs are seemingly instant Planes Mistaken For Stars classics; “Til’ It Clicks”, “Riot Season”, “F*cking Tenderness”, “She Who Steps”, and “Clean Up Mean”. All of them are multi-layered, melodic, and infectious in a way that only they can be. These lead to the touching “Black Rabbit”; a stark acoustic number that shows Gared at his most vulnerable. “Pan In Flames” and “Enemy Blinds” then creep into view. Two powerful songs explore almost apocalyptic musical territory. These usher in the jaw dropping closer “Alabaster Cello” which ends with the lyrical mantra of “Now We Wake…”. Signaling that the figurative slumber is over for this off kilter and brilliant cult status band.