The One And Only begins with a glorious blast of pounding drums, a wailing harmonica, and a bouncing guitar riff which announces through the song "Someday" that Plankeye has once again hit the bull's-eye with its piercingly sharp rock 'n' roll. Plankeye's sound is an unlikely mixture of punk passion, hyperactive new wave, and simple, straight-ahead rock 'n' roll. The instruments are distinctive and balanced, without ever sounding studio sterile. The songs rock hard, yet never lose those all-important poppy melodic hooks. Many of these songs grew out of the kinds of struggles which inevitably accompany a band that is experiencing the kinds of growing pains which Plankeye has faced over the past few years. It's graduated from the small halls to the theaters, and its members have had to grow up to meet these new challenges. With each new step up the ladder, the decisions get bigger, and each of these has lasting consequences. This puts strains on the members which alternate between pulling them apart and knitting them back together again. These kinds of emotional surgeries are well detailed with the songs on The One And Only. "It's Been So Very Long" grapples with the notion of what it means to be a man who is in a relationship with a woman. Sometimes this maturation involves learning how to "Compromise," and how to behave in the real world, instead of playing by "Playground" rules. "Let's Try Again Tomorrow" documents a time where the band argued so vehemently that it almost forgot what it was like to be a free and easy rock band that could just "fall down laughing" in the face of difficulties. Instead, they had to learn to forgive each other, and start all over in the morning. Plankeye is an oddity in that it retains its zesty youthful enthusiasm as it matures. It expresses this progress with a lot of nervous energy; energy which often gets in its way of making any headway. Or, as Scott Silletta sings, "Put a muzzle on my mouth when I get so very anxious." It's OK to calm down a little, fellas, but don't ever put a muzzle on this great rock 'n' roll energy. In spite of its complex obstacle course of a career path, Plankeye's musical aim is always true.
Other coverage for this album
Puddlegum 1998Reviewed by R.J. JohnsonThere are many great things to be said about Plankeye's latest contribution to the music scene. One of the most noteworthy occurrences is the way that many of the lyrics on "The One and Only" read like poetry, providing a comfortable atmosphere and 46 minutes of thought provoking tunes. The overall theme of this album would have to lie somewhere in the area of personal relationships and the…Puddlegum 1998Reviewed by Paul DendiuThe latest release from one of Christian alternative's premiere bands has had me scratching my head for quite some time now. I might end up with a sizeable hole in my noggin if I can't find a logical explanation soon. A logical explanation, that is, for why a band that has such deep roots in the world of Christian rock would risk tarnishing the name of an industry that it had a substantial role…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Tony LaFianzaOrange County's second favorite Christian band, Plankeye, has become known for changing its sound every time out, and this fourth record, The One and Only, is no exception to that plank-rule. Having moved away from the punk rock of their first great record, Spill, into the classic rock of Commonwealth, Plankeye has now travelled to a post-punk pop sound much like that of modern rock darlings, the…Similar sounding releases
1996SkilletSkillet
1999Pep SquadYreka Bakery
1996Poor Old LuA Picture of the Eighth Wonder
2004The Nervous ReturnWake Up Dead
2000The Jealous SoundThe Jealous Sound
2003The Red Hot ValentinesSummer Fling
