The Planet Smashers – Unstoppable

Simply put, I love The Planet Smashers. They are easily one of my favorite ska bands around these days for many reasons. They have some incredibly catchy and entertaining songs, their live show is unmatched, and they are super nice guys. But sadly, their CDs have always lacked something for me. Always missed that punch which makes their live shows so amazing, and I’ve always been slightly disappointed with the discs after I buy them. And yet, even knowing their CDs are never as good, there’s still something which attracts me to them and gets me to buy them anyway. Unstoppable, the band’s sixth full length, is no different.

The fourteen track album is full of infectious, upbeat ska songs that get you slowly skanking along with them. Listening to the album, there’s no doubt that these Montrealers know what they are doing. But sadly, like their other CDs, Unstoppable is plagued with some lackluster sections that just seem to be too mellow to really grab your attention. They almost seem too laid back and nonchalant about it, nearly to the point that they seem barely interested in their own songs.

But then instantly, they flip it around and throw another energizing and exciting song your way. Songs like Trip And Fall, This Song Is For You, Looking For A Cure and the spectacular sing along tribute song Raise Your Glass all remind the listener of why they are a Planet Smashers fan in the first place. Simple and catchy lyrics, amazing horn sections, and energizing chorus that get you both skanking and throwing your fist in the air (or raising your glass) as you sing along with Matt Collyer.

All in all, the only song that really forces you to press skip is the 3 minute instrumental Blank Stare, the rest are all playable. Some songs are more enjoyable then others and some seem to be slughtly uninspired, and yet, the album is still quite good. It is like all their previous, with some weak songs, but enough of the good stuff to make any loyal fan want to go out and buy it. This is an album which will be appreciated by their older fans, and may not be a great introduction to the band; nevertheless, I know that I can’t wait until they come back to Edmonton so I can skank along with Collyer and his band one more time, and then, truly enjoy the power behind these songs which I’m sure will triple in appreciation after being seen live.