PLANET P

By all the reviews here on PA, it would seem so and thought it deserved a little love. Somewhat surprising as this is quite a delightful album. I must admit that until a few weeks ago, I had forgotten it. Picked this up in a second hand music store, along with some Marillion albums (first time listens for me, which is another story). I used to have this Planet P Project "cassette" back in those 80s and wore it out cruising up and down the I-95 corridor on the east coast of the US. It definitely has the sound of 80s and even had a video or two on MTV, when they actually used to focus on music.

A little history of the main man of the project, Tony Carey, he was the early keyboardist for Blackmore's Rainbow in the Dio days. On this basically solo effort with many accomplished musicians, he developed a dreamy, spacey, prog/pop sound that has heavy influences from Pink Floyd and The Alan Parsons Project. But, it also has a few elements that remind me of Gary Wright and Kraftwerk.

This album has somewhat of a dark, end of days theme to it, but it is done tastefully, with a number of hooks to pull you in and is quite enjoyable. It is laden with a good mix of keyboards and guitar. Tony is the main vocalist and is very pleasant and dreamy that fits perfectly with this sound.

The album starts with the track "Static" which has the end of days theme of a nuclear age which bounces between a dreamy and heavy sound. It got some FM airplay back then.

Next is "King for a Day", sort of a shot at society with a very Alan Parsons sound to it.

"I Won't Wake Up" is next, it is very 80s in sound and reminds me of something Thomas Dolby would do. A poppy synth effect throughout, but catchy. Followed by "Top of the World", this is another catchy, very dreamy song with good vocal harmonies.

Perhaps my favorite track is next, "Armageddon". The title says it all, but the melody is beautiful and gets a little powerful at the chorus with great guitar leads (very Floyd sounding). As with a lot of songs on the album, it alternates between spacey and heavy.

"Tranquility Base" is next on the CD I have and is not listed in the track list here in PA. It is a short, lonely piano and vocal harmony, nice.

"Why Me" was one the hits off of the album and has a strong, soaring keyboard and a Gilmore sounding guitar rhythm to it. An astronaut based lyrics make it interesting.

"Power Tools" is a somewhat a humorous, catchy tune about what else, power tools. In space, power tools are your friends. What makes them work, what makes them go?. Another Alan Parsons sound to this one.

"Send it in a Letter" is a very soulful, dreamy song. Sort of has a Gary Wright feel to it, lots of synths.

"Adam and Eve", back to the end of days and starting over again. Mix of Parsons, Wright, and maybe Kraftwerk sound on this one. "Only You and Me" follow this and has sort of the same theme and sound but with more vocal harmonies.

"Ruby" is a another very dreamy, sad song that the album ends on.

The album seems to have a concept feel to it. Full of synths and harmonies and has made me smile at how much I used to listen and enjoy this. Yes, it is to me one of those guilty pleasure albums, but I feel it is a worthy addition to any prog or prog related collection, especially an 80s collection. Having heard this album again makes me want to check out some of the other Planet P Project albums.

4 Stars in the Crossover arena!

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