The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that I've been underrating Plankeye's last album, Relocation. It doesn't sound forced--the songs come out of honest emotion, and with the personnel changes the band suffered, they had plenty. So, for the last couple of months, I've had a really good feeling about Strange Exchange--I was expecting a masterpiece. Does the album deliver? Not exactly.
The songs on Strange Exchange are not bad songs, especially for a band that has in the past so catered to youth groups. None of the tracks have the emotional impact of "Goodbye" or the pure melodic catchiness of "I Can't Complain," but overall the music is comparable to that of Relocation. It's certainly not the punk rock/power pop that the band churned out under ex-lead singer Scott Silletta; rather, it is darker, slower and more layered--almost entering into Jimmy Eat World's emo pop territory at some points, and Newsboys-esque pop rock at others.
Frontman Eric Balmer does a fine job inserting some attractive, noisy guitar solos into several songs, and his voice is getting better, if more than a little melodramatic in places. That's part of the problem: Strange Exchange is the sound of a good band trying too hard to be a great band. When the music is less forced, as on the acoustic "My Wife," the album reaches its peak, but the labored, overemotional pieces keep this one from being Plankeye's magnum opus.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #89Reviewed by Andy ArgyrakisThe ever-evolving band Plankeye, whose members are always changing, returns with ten high quality tunes written and played with sincerity. Although the latest version of the group plays tightly, strumming each chord with accuracy and striking each drum beat with authority, Strange Exchange suffers from sound-a-like syndrome in which no track stands out as a heavy hitting anthem or future classic.…ReAL Magazine 2001Reviewed by David O.You can tell when a band is being dishonest with you. The songs on the record may be well written, but for some reason you have no desire to listen to it. Instead, you find yourself reaching deep into your record collection for R.E.O. Speedwagon albums to remind you what it was like when music meant something. Strange Exchange finds Plankeye in an identity crisis. This is not entirely a bad…Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Travis Persaud"Strange Exchange" is Plankeye's sixth full-length album. This is their second release after their original singer left the band. With this album, it seems that the new Plankeye has finally found the sound they were looking for. I was somewhat disappointed with their last album "Relocation," just because it was such a drastic change so soon. I thought it was a decent album, but it seemed as if…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Kerry MaffeoAfter a year of re-invention and life experiences, Plankeye responds to those experiences and invention with their answer: Strange Exchange. This new collection of maturity-inspired works incorporates the talent of new members as well as the musical contributions of Eric Balmer's wife, Beth. This newest offering brings out the best in the band. The album opens with the invigorating "This Is," a…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Glenn McCartyLittle remains of the Plankeye who were among the earlier modern rock bands to reach the Christian music mainstream with albums like The Spark and Commonwealth. Last year's Relocation proved an apropos title, moving band leaders Luis Garcia and Eric Balmer on to more progressive, modern rock territory, achieving an admirable sound and doing the almost impossible: resurrecting an established band…Similar sounding releases
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