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 thing, as it forces the band to progress their sound rather than letting it grow stagnant. Unfortunately, these attempted progressions come across as forced and contrived, and hinder the band from developing their strengths. Plankeye is a pop band, and they get into trouble when they forget this.
On Strange Exchange, the bands sixth record, they're clearly having a hard time finding their feet. At their best, Plankeye makes edgy pop music. The vocal lines are catchy and the words are simple: "You're in and you're out / You walk through the house / And I can't take my eyes off of you / I was made / Designed / To fill your life / I'm so in love with you." Nothing overly ambitious here, it's just a simple love song. 'Chemicals and Sleep' is also a solid track, with a great guitar lick and a very melodic verse and chorus.
The tricky thing about Strange Exchange, the band's sixth record, is that most of the songs have some good things about them. The chorus of 'Let me be Near You' is great; the guitar parts and vocal line compliment each other beautifully. However, the band loses their "honest" sound when they try to sound like an (shudder) emo band. The song also contains a hokey segment near the end where the vague lyrics, "You fade with it when you run from it / You fade with it when you run with it" are yelled over loud guitars. It's boring. 'The Meaning of All' has a great chorus, but is hunkered down by dull verses as lead vocalist Eric Balmer does his best to sound like he really means it. Melody is replaced by lyrics that are half yelled and half sung, and the verses are instantly forgettable.
Much of Strange Exchange is forgettable, which is too bad because it has some shining moments. Plankeye could be a good pop band. Let's just hope they concentrate on becoming one, and forget about messing around with sounds they're never going to be able to make their own. In the meantime, there's always R.E.O.
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.…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 Michial FarmerThe 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 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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