After 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 driving rock ballad featuring pulsing guitar riffs and tight vocals. The song draws the listener in with each pounding rhythm, bursting with intensity as the track continues.
"The Meaning of It All," follows immediately with a simple bass line interspersed with electronic sounds, suddenly exploding into the full band. The song has a definite Oasis or U2 impression but still retains the sound for which Plankeye is best known. This track speaks of the purpose of life and captures the growth of the band. "With age comes time, And leaves to the earth must fall and die, Before they can find the meaning of it all."
"Chemicals and Sleep" is a song about taking responsibility for one's actions. "My Wife" is a sweet, slow song about the singer's wife. "I can feel right when you are down, it troubles the mind. And I can't see right with those sleepy eyes, you are my wife." The guitar work on this song is intricate, matching the emotion obviously felt by the singer.
The last few songs on the album mellow considerably from the first tracks, but still retain the same intensity. "Bring it Down" has the qualities of some of the Psalms, calling for a complete re-building of our lives into what God wants us to be.
"My Daughter," a sad ballad which speaks of the loss of a child, is mild but emotionally charged. The song bleeds with the pain of missing a loved one.
Overall, Strange Exchange represents the collective maturity and growth of the band, as well as their musical and lyrical growth.
4 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 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 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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