Released 8^th June 2009, Wind-up Records via ADA Global

If you are ever so extraordinarily lucky as to encounter People in Planes’ new single, try and play this game. Remember The Automatic’s hit “Monster” from 2006? When the chorus of “Mayday (M’aidez)” arrives, belt out “What’s that coming over the hill...” etc, exactly as it is on The Automatic’s recording and you’ll be able to do it without going out of key or needing to rush the phrasing. Go on, it’s fun, and rare that the unmusical listener can be part of something creative! Fun!This unfortunate facet mars an otherwise enjoyable four minutes of heavy guitar/high melodrama performed by this muscular five piece outfit. It’s the kind of song, and I mean this nicely, that would not sound out of place on the menu screens of an EA Sports title. As such it serves a comforting, if slightly nondescript purpose.

There are some thoughtful b-side inclusions which rescue the quality of the release, but overall this is fairly unremarkable stuff. “Monster” might be a ruined song, thanks to radio overplay, but it sure is more fun to sing than what’s on offer here.

Posted In Single Reviews, Jun 15 2009. Words - Richard