Raise the Dead

Just because they signed to the Fueled By Ramen label for RAISE THEY DEAD, don't assume that Phantom Planet has gone emo. Nothing could be further from the truth; instead, the chameleonic California rockers, who gave the film world their former drummer Jason Schwarzman and have dabbled in everything from garage rock to Beach Boys-influenced sunshine sounds, turn out some straight-up alterna-pop here. Catchy choruses, tight songcraft, and carefully crafted melodies are the order of the day, as Alex Greenwald's charismatic vocals cut a bold swath throughout.