Search - Plankeye :: Strange Exchange

A new style (as usual)

Brad Stephenson | Fresno, California | 04/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Plankeye has gone through some major growth and changes over the past 8 years; and as any Plankeye fan knows, no two Plankeye albums sound anything alike. This album is no exception. Of all their albums, I'd say this one has the most uniqueness to it. Although there are a couple upbeat rock songs on it, the album is mostly a mellow rock, but it has this sort of escape feel to it. In a time when all Christian bands are all trying to be the most explosive and entertaining, this album just feels like a step away from all of that. Plankeye's powerful lyrics always seem to come right from the heart and this album follows right in that tradition. Most bands you get the feeling they write their music and then come up with some lyrics to go with it but Plankeye's songs have the feeling that they start with the lyrics, and I think that's one of the things that has taken them this far.It's a shame Eric and Luis didn't do much singing on the first 4 Plankeye albums. They have cool voices which seem to have improved even more since they recorded "Relocation". The fourth track ("Let Me Be Near You") is a really cool song. It's this slow grundgey 6-minute song that sounds like maybe something off of their "Commonwealth" record. It kind of puts you in a trance. And I can honestly say I've never heard anything like the last song on the record (which happens to be 8 minutes long). If you're looking for an album that sounds like the Plankeye when Scott was part of the group (fast and sometimes hard rock) then you won't like this album. However, if you liked "Relocation" then chances are you'll like this album. It's similar to "Relocation" lyrically but more musically creative. The album grows on you the more you listen to it."

Plankeye Finally Defining Itself

09/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As the great Newton himself set aside pre-conceived notions so as to allow the creation of wondrous scientific discoveries within his own mind, let us then examine this release from Plankeye in the same fashion. But seriously, THIS IS SOMETHING NEW! The vocals are ten times better than Relocation, the absence of Scott all but unnoticable by now. And the lyrics, while the depth of emotion that they bring may surpass many, the lyrics are something to be read, contemplated, and ultimately treasured. They bring a completeness to the songs that Plankeye has never before had. That said, please judge Strange Excange on its own merits. "The Spark" was a great cd, "Commonwealth" even better, "One and Only" was average, and "Relocation" new, different . . . but good, if not great soft rock. The unifying characteristic on all of these cds is that each one brings something new and different to the Plankeye mythos. Therefore, do not blast "Strange Exchange" because it isn't an extension of "Relocation" - the band has already "relocated," Adam and Scott are gone. And now, with "Strange Exchange" they have finally moved on. Just know that it is a combination of unique and powerful vocals, lyric-driven songs, and inspired (if not, at times, spine-tingling) melodies. Thank you, and happy listening."

Strange Exchange

The Germanator | Oxford, Ohio | 05/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album takes some time to get used to, and I would highly recomment taking the time. Musically Plankeye has taken this record into the experimental, but they have not forsaken their earlier roots. Thoughout the record musical connections can be heard with previous albums "Relocation", "The One and Only" and "Spark" and even to the band Bleach. The first through third tracks off of Strange Exchange are very reminiscent of the spirit of Plankeye's earlier album "Relocation". The fourth track takes things far into the experimental, but after listening through several spins the screeching guitars seem to have found their place in the song. The fifth track takes things into the realm of the acoustic for a little less than two minutes, then its back to experimentation with the sixth track. The seventh track seems almost to call back memories of Plankeye's "The One and Only" the album which preceeded "Relocation". The eighth track is all its own, although hints of "Relocation" can be heard in its guitars. The ninth track sounds like it could have been a slower track track off of Bleach's latest release, which is a good thing. The tenth track is back to experimentation with excellent results. The lyrics and the music in this track meld wonderfully. It is a track that should be listened to often to fully understand it. Overall this album is a great follow up to all other Plankeye albums. It definitely takes alot of time to get used to, but the end result is great. When I first purchased the album I was quite against it, but after breaking through my own barriers between myself and the music I have grown to love this album, and I highly recommend it. It is a very different album musically, but it is still Plankeye through and through."