Search - And Then There Were None :: Who Speaks for Planet Earth

Not a huge techno/dance fan usually

Joshua A. Roach | pittsburgh, pa | 03/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...but this album is awesome. It is definitely a step above the usual. It has the same kind of feel as a lot of techno, but creates unique melodies and atmospheres. "The Atmosphere" is probably the standout track, especially with the slick breakdown at the end.



Altogether, a great first album from a band who used to be metalcore..."

And Then There Were None- Who Speaks for Planet Earth? [cro

Christian Rock OBSESSION | 08/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To start of this review, let me say that dance/techno music is not my thing. Before this record was released, I could not have listened to such a song and craved for more. But And Then There Were None, being one of the newest bands to sign with the amazingness that is Tooth & Nail Records, caught my attention when their song "Action is the Anecdote" was featured on the T&N podcast in November of 2008. The song has an addictive quality that I was soon hooked on. It didn't take long for me to realize I liked this band.



Now what, may you ask, is a dance act doing in a Christian rock blog? ATTWN does have a few rock qualities mixed in with their synths and electronic beats, and if I stepped out of my comfort zone to buy a dance/techno album, so can you. Plus, I really think this band deserves the attention



Their debut, Who Speaks For Planet Earth opens with a thirty-eight-second static-filled intro, leading into "John Orr the Arsonist." Like many of the tracks on the album, some of the words become a bit difficult to understand when lead singer Matt Rhoades's voice is distorted for effect, but when his vocals are untampered, they reveal a voice seemingly made for punk rock, but nonetheless fit in great with this style.



And Then There Were None wasn't always the infectious dance band we know today. Formerly, they were a metal band. According the lead vocalist, Matt Rhoades, says "Eventually I ran out of ideas for writing metal music, and began to write what came more naturally. To me, dance music is positive, and still incredibly emotionally based. There are no rules or norms and this allowed me more creative freedom in the writing process. I finally feel as though ATTWN has found its own unique sound." Although I'd say that the slightly emo lyrics for a few songs would fit in better with the metal sound, that's what makes this album special.



The next song, "The Hospital," didn't really catch on for me until I'd listened to it quite a few times. The first time I heard it, I was disappointed, seeing how "Action..." and "Reinventing Robert Cohn" had been premiered on the band's Purevolume page earlier, and "Hospital" didn't even compare. Another song that came across as slightly cheesy and non-fitting with the rest of the album was the cover of Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting." "Thank the Watchmaker" is a fantastic song, besides the fact that its chorus doesn't seem to match the verses in tempo or emotion. It sings about how our lives have a purpose and are not just chance. The name of the song relates to the statement that without a watchmaker, there could be no watch. This is often used when defending Biblical creation as opposed to evolution. Watches are complex--just like human life--and it's impossible that the individual parts of a watch could come together by chance and keep time as any functional watch would. God, in this illustration, is the watchmaker. He created everything that there is with a purpose. He has existed forever and will into eternity. He has a plan for our lives, and loves us enough that he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place for everything we've done wrong.



"The Alamo" opening shows a little of And Then There Were None's rock side. The song has extremely clever lyrics, and uses the BGVs a bit more, which are very different. The debut ends with the cleverly titled "Insozzz...," bringing a very different, yet extremely fun album unlike anything I've ever heard to a close."

Awesome CD

J. Holcomb | North Carolina | 02/17/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every track on this CD is absolutely awesome and just makes ya wanna GET DOWN!!! Buy IT!!!"