"Upon coming across "Plano," their 1st release on the very hit and miss Minty Fresh, I knew I was listening to one of my favorite bands of all time. Hearing Plano was like hearing the Blue Nile for the 1st time; that feeling of having been swept away by a lover who new exactly how to touch you. A little erie yet relieving at the same time. I was instantly transfixed by their marriage of Everything But the Girl-like melodies, harmonies, and vocals with the ironic electronics of Magnetic Fields, and by the sheer addictiveness of the whole thing. The result was a collection so perfect that it could almost pass as a greatest hits record. Do they wear thier influences on their sleeves? Absoulutely. A little dated? a little. Pretentious? a little more so. But aren't these "critisms" true of all the best in pop, EBTG and Magnetic Fields included? Do what ever you can, but get yourself a listen to Plano---the most addictive pop record of the 90s. Period"
Groundbreaking gay pop-angst from Middle America
TruConsumer | 09/27/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Now that the Navin brothers have recorded a new album to distract me, I realize how groundbreaking "Plano" really was...What other band has written about class differences between gay suitors in the suburbs? Perhaps the Smiths, circa "Hatful of Hollow," but not as plaintively. Musically, it's as if an early sixties fraternity choir suddenly reappeared on the scene with Eno as their producer. Not every song on this album is great, but the overall mood, the subtle sonic pleasures, and the groundbreaking themes make this an essential album of the 1990s."
Very Recommended
TruConsumer | Springfield, MA USA | 03/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Every track on this album is solid. I love the delivery of the vocals, and annunciation. Faves include "Storytime" and "Star Wish" and "Steam". I dont find it loungey or shlocky at all. I can hear the "Frazier Chorus" comparisons at times, but this is quality stuff."
Deceptively romantic and emotional lounge-pop
TruConsumer | 07/28/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Okay, this is the kind of music I wish I could write. At first listen, this album may appear to be so lite and fluffy that it might just disappear in your large CD catalogue without another spin. But take a few more listens (make sure to read along with the lyrics) and you will have a whole different view. Very few bands these days can pull off such a mix of old vs. new, acoustic vs. electronic, lite vs. romantic -- the list goes on. They also have a very real talent for tastefully lush arrangements.If you are into the loungey sound but not just for the retro trend of it all, this is for you. These guys write perfectly crafted pop songs with sad, romantic lyrics. I can't wait for their next one."
The best!
D. Ninh | Dallas, TX | 11/15/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's appropriate that the first song on this album is called "Chocolates" - it's sugary and sweet and oh so very nice...i read some critic describe this album as "crystalline pop".
I happened upon Aluminum Group while I was working in Banana Republic - bored out of my mind, folding clothes - then all of a sudden "Chocolates" started playing, filling the stores and my mood just totally changed...i went out and bought this cd right away and listened to it multiple times for years.
i recently rediscovered it playing in an art house movie theater -- i have to say this album is by far the quintessential one out of their offerings - like the lyrics in "Star Wish" - "star wish, you made a mess of my life
cause I wasn't thinking clearly when I saw you falling out of the sky" ... love it!