The guys of Phantom Planet made a name for themselves playing gigs in and around L.A. throughout the late '90s. In between projects, they managed to score a deal with Geffen in 1997. Their debut, Phantom Planet Is Missing, was released the following year, but critics weren't quick to jump. In fact, the album didn't do well and they were dropped from their record label.
In early 2001, Phantom Planet returned to the studio to work on a follow-up with Tchad Blake and Mitchell Froom. Alex explains the recording process: "Mitchell and Tchad really pushed us to be the best we could be. We would constantly throw ideas at one another - at times it was hard to agree on certain things - but whatever ideas were left that we could agree on would make the songs ten times better than where they started off." "The production team was awesome...," drummer Jason Schwartzman adds, "...On our first day at the studio, our recording room felt cold and sterile - So, Mitchell and Tchad told us we could decorate it however we wanted. Something to make us feel at home. We ended up making our room look like a giant fish tank. We had huge inflatable fish, blue and green lights, and palm trees hanging from the ceiling. Alex thought it looked like California after a fault splitting earthquake had pulled it underwater."
A year later, in February 2002, the Phantom Planet's Epic Records debut, The Guest, was realised. The album has been described as a collision of youth and melody set to a soundtrack of contemporary guitars and atmospheric samplers. Influenced by bands like Elvis Costello and the Attractions, U2, Air, and the Flaming Lips, Phantom Planet manages to create a record that puts them in their own very special category. "It's a big step since our last record " says Greenwald. "We were kids who had just gotten our drivers licenses. Now we are four years older, I got my license revoked, and we're ready to make some real rock and roll."
The pairing of these veteran producers with the energy and youth of PHANTOM PLANET surpassed the expectations of everyone involved. This is evident on the album's undeniably contagious opening track "California",which was included on the soundtrack to Orange County. With its road weary verse and fist pounding chorus, the song was a hit. By the album's third track, "Lonely Day," with its lilting, carefree verse and exploding chorus, was a smart choice for a follow-up single. "Lonely Day" can be currently heard on airwaves across the country, with the video being shown on all good music channels.
Official Phantom Planet Webpage
