As Far as the Eye Can See

As unassuming as the album's serene artwork, As Far as the Eye Can See is a bright, charming dose of indie rock from the U.K.'s People in Planes. In their hour run, the 12 songs don't quite hit listeners over the head, but rather leave a content feeling of satisfaction that lingers when all is said and done. Often relying on lush instrumentation and layered vocals, many of the songs have an atmospheric quality that sparkles with keyboard-driven undercurrents and soaring rhythms. As such, the delightful guitars and lazy, singalong chorus of their first single, "If You Talk Too Much (My Head Will Explode)," aptly represents the band's sound to the radio audience. Fans of groups like Muse and Radiohead will no doubt be able to get down to the Planes' sound, as well as those sensitive types shakin' their hips to the garage rock revival bands of the world. And while the album isn't without its moments of rock (see the crunchiness of the lead track's chorus), As Far as the Eye Can See lends itself more to steering-wheel tapping and gentle head nodding than it does to full-on air guitar playing. All in all, People in Planes pleasantly deliver on their full-length debut with a record that modestly comes and goes, unexpectedly delighting along the way.