Phantom Planet’s Triumphant Return: An Exclusive Deep Dive into ‘Devastator,’ ‘Through The Trees,’ and Their Enduring Legacy
After a twelve-year hiatus, the beloved indie rock outfit Phantom Planet has made a resounding comeback, delighting long-time fans and captivating new listeners with their latest album, Devastator. Released in June, this highly anticipated record marks a significant milestone for the band, showcasing their evolved sound and profound lyrical depth. Alongside the album, the band has unveiled an exclusive premiere of their captivating new music video for “Through The Trees” here on HollywoodLife, offering a mesmerizing visual companion to one of Devastator‘s standout tracks.
“Through The Trees”: A Psychedelic Journey Through Sound and Vision
The track “Through The Trees” instantly draws listeners in with its deep, comforting groove, reminiscent of a lazy summer afternoon, while lead singer Alex Greenwald’s vocals soar effortlessly, echoing the clarity of the noontime sun. This song is a clear testament to Phantom Planet’s enduring musicality and their ability to craft compelling narratives. The accompanying music video is nothing short of a psychedelic marvel. Greenwald is placed at the epicenter of a swirling, cosmic landscape that continuously bends and folds upon itself, creating a visual spectacle akin to a hall of mirrors or a dynamic kaleidoscope. Rather than distracting from the music, these vibrant, shifting images amplify the song’s ethereal vibe, pulling the viewer deeper into its narrative. When Alex poignantly sings about “a blanket of black / tucks the sun in for sleep,” it’s nearly impossible not to close your eyes, letting the magnificent melody and profound imagery transport you into a state of serene contemplation, gazing into a boundless infinity.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the visually rich and evocative video, Alex Greenwald shared an exclusive insight with HollywoodLife. “I suppose sometimes the best recipe for a bad break-up,” Alex explains, “is a witchy fermentation of fairy fables and forest folklore. Here’s our new cauldron bubbling concoction.” This quote offers a glimpse into the band’s creative process, highlighting their blend of introspective emotion with whimsical, almost mystical, storytelling.
The Return of Phantom Planet: A New Era with ‘Devastator’
The release of Devastator in June signified the end of a long, arduous twelve-year wait for loyal Phantom Planet fans. It’s the band’s first studio album since 2008’s critically acclaimed Raise The Dead, and, more notably, their first since announcing their hiatus that very same year. The band, comprised of Alex Greenwald, Sam Farrar, Darren Robinson, and Jeff Conrad, briefly reunited in 2012, but their official comeback truly began in 2019. This re-emergence culminated in May 2020 with the release of “Balisong,” their first new song in over a decade, which served as a tantalizing prelude to Devastator, which followed just a month later. For a distinct demographic of Xennials and millennials, Phantom Planet held, and continues to hold, an almost unparalleled cultural significance. Their iconic track, “California,” became the quintessential soundtrack for the early 2000s, perfectly capturing the era’s zeitgeist with just a few simple piano notes and Greenwald’s distinctive vocals. Much has changed since those formative years: band lineups have seen shifts, some members, including Alex Greenwald, have navigated high-profile relationships, and the aforementioned hiatus tested the patience of their fanbase. Despite these transformations, the band’s core artistic vision has remained intact, leading to a profound new chapter with Devastator. To delve deeper into this new phase, HollywoodLife had the privilege of speaking with Alex Greenwald and Daren Robinson via email, discussing the unique “truth” they believe was captured on this album, their most cherished moments during the recording process, and their enduring reflections on “California,” seventeen years after its initial release.
Capturing Truth: The Making of ‘Devastator’
A Return to the Past: Lessons from 2008
HollywoodLife: Devastator is your first album since 2008’s Raise The Dead. If you could go back in time to the moment you finished Raise The Dead, what would be the one thing (be it advice or a warning) that you’d tell your 2008 self?
Alex Greenwald: I think it’s possible [that] time doesn’t move linearly. With that in mind, it’s fully possible this could have actually happened. There were pieces of songs from 2008 which have made it – finally fully realized – onto Devastator. My 2008 self would have loved to have put these songs on our last album, Raise the Dead, but something told me at the time that I should wait to accrue more life experience in order to finish these fledgling songs the right way. What is the voice in our heads, anyway?
Alex’s thoughtful response underscores a fascinating aspect of the creative process: the idea that artistic ideas can lay dormant, awaiting the right moment and sufficient life experience to fully blossom. This suggests that Devastator isn’t just a new album but a culmination of years of personal and artistic growth, incorporating elements that were perhaps too nascent to be fully realized over a decade ago. It speaks to the patience and wisdom that comes with time, allowing some musical ideas to truly mature into their intended forms.
Overcoming Challenges: A Natural Creative Process
HL: There are always challenges in making an album – getting the right guitar tone, making sure the acoustics are right, coming back from a 12-year hiatus, etc. Were there any specific challenges in Devastator?
Daren Robinson: First thing that comes to mind was the fact that there wasn’t much preproduction. Normally, we will take a few weeks to rehearse songs and parts, and try to hone in on making the songs easier to record. But this time, there was only a little of that, and truthfully, I almost enjoyed the experience more this way. It made being creative feel more natural in a sense.
And in terms of guitar tones, it was actually quite fun as well. While I’d be recording a part, Alex would often sit with me in the control room and mess with my effects as I played to get the desired sounds. It felt like we were tackling songs as a team, which kept spirits up and energy positive.
Darren’s insights reveal a refreshing approach to the recording process for Devastator. The lack of extensive pre-production, often seen as a hurdle, was instead embraced as an opportunity for more spontaneous and organic creativity. This improvisational method, coupled with a collaborative spirit, particularly in crafting guitar tones with Alex, highlights the band’s synergy and their ability to thrive under unconventional circumstances. It’s a testament to their seasoned musicianship and mutual trust, allowing for a more authentic and less constrained recording experience that ultimately contributed to the album’s unique sound.
Exploring Key Tracks: Messages of Resilience and Authenticity
“Time Moves On”: A Universal Echo in Turbulent Times
HL: The single from the album, “Time Moves On,” was inspired by a specific moment. Yet, its universal message is something that everyone can relate to. When was the last time you needed to remind yourself, “this too will pass.”
Alex: The psychological toll this pandemic will take on all of us has yet to be fully understood. There will never be a return to the “old world” and what that means to us. However, in regards to our current situation, reminding ourselves that “this too shall pass” couldn’t hurt. In fact, understanding change is an inevitable part of life could only help.
Alex’s reflection on “Time Moves On” resonates deeply, particularly in the context of the global pandemic. His words highlight the song’s universal applicability, serving as a powerful reminder of resilience and acceptance. The notion that “this too shall pass” isn’t merely a comforting cliché but a profound truth about the transient nature of existence, a perspective that can offer solace and strength in challenging times. It underscores how Phantom Planet’s music often transcends personal experiences to touch upon broader human conditions.
Moments of Truth: “Gold Body Spray” and “Leave a Little Light On”
HL: What’s your favorite moment on Devastator? It doesn’t have to be a part you played.
Alex: My favorite part on the album is extremely selfish. The song “Gold Body Spray” (which is about a clueless person who wears too much Axe) is one I recorded live, just me and the piano. I’ve never recorded a song this way, and could not have been more pleased with the results. It captures this kind of truthful moment, the likes of which I’ve never captured on a recording before.
Darren: There’s something about it that just feels timeless. Either that or when the bridge of “Leave a Little Light On” kicks in.
Both Alex and Darren pinpoint specific, highly personal moments as their favorites on Devastator, revealing the intimate connection artists have with their creations. Alex’s attachment to “Gold Body Spray” stems from its raw, unadorned live recording – just voice and piano – a method he hadn’t explored before. This vulnerability allowed for an unprecedented “truthful moment,” suggesting that stripping away production layers can sometimes yield the most authentic expressions. Darren, on the other hand, finds his connection in the timeless feel of Alex’s solo performance or the impactful arrival of the bridge in “Leave a Little Light On,” highlighting the diverse elements that resonate most profoundly within the band.
The Underappreciated Gem: “From This Day On”
HL: Phantom Planet has been a band since 1994. In that time, the band has written numerous songs – what’s one ‘underappreciated’ track you’d love to play on the next tour?
Darren: Great question. For me, it’s “From This Day On,” which was featured briefly at the end of our “Big Brat” video that we did with Spike Jonze many years back. I never thought that song got enough attention. It’s a timeless song and, in my opinion, deserves much more attention, even now.
Darren’s choice of “From This Day On” as an underappreciated track sheds light on the hidden gems within Phantom Planet’s extensive catalog. It’s common for bands to have songs they feel are overlooked, and Darren’s passion for this particular track, despite its fleeting appearance in a past video, speaks volumes about its enduring quality. His desire to give it more prominence on future tours suggests a belief in its timeless appeal and its potential to resonate deeply with an audience, even years after its initial creation.
Visual Storytelling: The Impact of ‘Devastator’s Album Art
HL: You can’t judge a book by its cover, but Devastator’s album artwork is pretty incredible. What do you think about the album’s art, and – bonus question – what is the record that first comes to mind when someone says “iconic album art?”
Alex: When I first saw the photograph, I knew without question that it HAD to be the cover of Devastator. What’s going on in the photograph filled in all of the blanks which the music and lyrics had not. This is my favorite Phantom Planet album cover so far.
Alex’s enthusiastic endorsement of Devastator‘s album art underscores the powerful synergy between visual and auditory aesthetics in music. For him, the photograph wasn’t just a cover; it was an integral part of the album’s narrative, providing a visual language that complemented and completed the stories woven into the music and lyrics. This profound connection suggests that the artwork serves not merely as decoration, but as an essential element that deepens the listener’s understanding and experience of the entire record, making it his favorite Phantom Planet cover to date. While Alex didn’t offer a specific example for “iconic album art,” his appreciation for how artwork completes the musical vision speaks to the importance of visual identity in an album’s lasting impact.
The Enduring Legacy of “California”
HL: Finally, what’s your personal relationship with “California”? Are you friends with it? Never want to hear it again? Glad it paid for your mortgage? Or is there a newfound love for it given the state of things with the pandemic and California not being the ‘California’ that was?
Darren: I think it’s a great song, but given that I’ve heard it so many times, as well as have played it hundreds of times, it gets a little old after a while. But then again, when we play it live, all of that goes away when I see people sing along.
Darren’s candid relationship with “California” perfectly encapsulates the nuanced feelings artists often have towards their most famous works. While acknowledging the song’s undeniable quality and its importance in the band’s history, the sheer repetition of performing and hearing it can naturally lead to a degree of fatigue. However, this weariness is consistently overcome by the transformative energy of live performances, where the collective joy and participation of the audience rekindle a powerful sense of appreciation. It highlights the unique bond between a band, its iconic song, and the fans who make it an enduring anthem, ensuring “California” remains a cherished part of Phantom Planet’s live experience.
Phantom Planet: A Timeless Journey Continues
The return of Phantom Planet with Devastator is more than just a musical comeback; it’s a testament to the band’s resilience, artistic integrity, and their enduring connection with their audience. Through exclusive insights into their creative process, the challenges they embraced, and their reflections on both new tracks and timeless classics, Alex Greenwald and Daren Robinson have offered a candid glimpse into the heart of Phantom Planet. From the psychedelic visuals of “Through The Trees” to the authentic truths captured in tracks like “Gold Body Spray,” Devastator stands as a powerful statement, proving that some stories, and some bands, are simply meant to endure. As they navigate new artistic territories while still honoring their rich legacy, Phantom Planet continues to craft music that resonates, offering solace, reflection, and pure sonic enjoyment to a world eagerly awaiting their next chapter.
Phantom Planet’s Devastator is out now and available on all major platforms, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in this significant new work from a truly iconic band.