Choice Cut : De Opresso Liber, Children, Song of Achilles, River Song

Official website: http://www.plainsunset.com/

This band needs no introduction. They can almost be considered veterans in the Singapore music scene, after all.

Plainsunset's self-titled fourth album is a decidedly more mature and sensitive effort. The band's sounds have clearly become mellower, with softer rhythms and more thought-provoking lyrics. According to Jon Chan (lead vocals), the band's aspiration for this album is to create something that will be "timeless and evocative." Sounds just about right to sum this whole album up.

From the first number, "Johari Window," it is obvious that the band has brought their music up to a whole new level. First off, it was a pleasant surprise to find a song that draws its inspiration from one the most basic tools of the psychological trade. You know then that this album will be anything but mediocre.

Things start heating up with the surefire of an anthem, "De Opresso Liber." It is nothing less than an immediate draw, with its contemplative opening lines. For one thing, it makes you want to sit on a grassy patch, watching the sunset and reminiscing. The slightly melancholic sounding "Children" continues in the same vein of nostalgia. Clean drum beats with guitars perfectly complement the well-controlled vocals. The beautiful lyrics and sweet dedication at the end adds icing on the cake.

Look out for "Song of Achilles." The instrumentals swept me away from the get-go. Jon's vocals, more suited for medium-rock than full-blown, does well here. The track is imaginative, lyrical and interesting; which is more than I can say for a lot of commercial bands out there now.

Here it is: the song that could possibly become a contender for the next Singapore's National Day theme song. "River Song" is pound for pound, better than what we've been getting since "Home." Providing a nice change in pace, it paints a dreamily idyllic and melodious picture. This track has got "evocative" down pat.

And then, you have the requisite experiment with classic rocker-style in "Eyeliner." No new surprises there, I'm afraid. The tune is in keeping with the style, that's about it. Not one to forget their roots in emo-punk, "Postcards from Paradise" is merely a trip down memory lane by any measure, but still reasonably well-handled. The grand finale, "Greatest Days," ends in all-out head-banging glory. There is still plenty of the old-skool energy in these old-timers that will delight young, punk-pop moshers to no end.

Gripes about the album? Let's see. Inconsistent, in a word.

Some of the tracks drag on past the 4-minute mark, making even the better ones sound tiresome after a few listens. Some start off positively enough, but dissolve into a messy pool later. "Interference," for me, is one instance where guitars and drums in certain strains do not always work. While Plainsunset is one of the better local songwriters by far, you get the feeling that some of the tracks could do with a little more beefing up as well.

Nevertheless, this is definitely a creditable record, well-deserving of nods from music pundits.

Read all 0 reviews...   Your rating & comments: ------- 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1