When Gared O’Donnell of Planes Mistaken for Stars announced in 2020 that he had an aggressive form of esophageal cancer that was going to require a lot of work and rest, it seemed clear music should take a back seat. Little more than a year later, he was gone. Yet almost three years after his passing, we have new PMfS music.

Turns out as O’Donnell was fighting for his life, the razor-throated vocalist/guitarist also was working with the rest of Planes on new music found on new fifth record “Do You Still Love Me?” his voice sounding no worse for wear, the band on fire. Rounded out by guitarist Chuck French, bassist Neil Keener, and drummer Mike “MONGO” Ricketts, the band went to work and came up with 13 songs and nearly 40 minutes of power they practically have trademarked, their hearts gushing from their chests. Plus, the cohesion, passion, and fire evident within the band sounds as strong as ever, and what I presume is their swan song shines brighter, yet grimier, than ever before.

“Matthew is Dead” is an ominous opener, paying homage to original guitarist Matthew Bellinger, blasting as O’Donnell’s raspy calls of the title repeat, the playing driving and letting smoke spread. “You’re dead, you’re dead, you’re dead,” he wails, the final moments are filled with feral screams and endless glass breaking, trying to come to terms. “Fix Me” has a melodic pulse, though punches do land, guitars flushing and pushing before blazing. “Just say you love me,” O’Donnell howls, the playing continuing to build steam to the finish. “Further” is heated as it spills out, not a long song but one with impact, especially with O’Donnell calling, “We’ve only got the night,” leads sizzling along with that plea. “The Arrow” blasts in with punk-style riffs, the energy heading forward with force, the singing bubbling over a frantic pace. Guitars then glimmer, the pace staying fast and catchy, loading into “Modern Logic” that dawns a little easier and brighter. There’s a bit of Smashing Pumpkins in their more gentle times, softer sounds creating a bit of solace. Riffs then spit light as the vocals float, dissolving into a sheen. “Punch the Gauge” has the drums pacing, the dark playing swimming through shadows, the tension bubbling under the surface. The playing then trudges and works into a fog, and then like the opener, screams take over, glass shattered mercilessly. 

“Do You Still Love Me? No. 1” is sludgy and menacing, O’Donnell insisting, “I don’t have the shakes, the shakes have me,” repeating that mantra as doomy waters flood. “Run Rabbit Run” is catchy and sunnier, slinking in and out of darkness, the title repeated over and over as a chorus. The energy is impossible to shake, the final blast or urgency burying hearts in the dust. “Peace” also has doomier tidings, O’Donnell’s words shredding as they drop, him calling out, “We call for peace we never know.” The thick sentiment and woe unite, fading into a harsh finish. “Put Your Heart on the Fire” chugs and is both gnarly and soft, a strange contrast that oddly works. As the band leans toward the chorus, O’Donnell calls, “We both know existence is cruel,” something that hits even harder knowing his fate. Melody floods on the other end, filling with emotion and spacey wooshes. “The Calming” starts a final spate of quick tracks, starting ominously and hanging like a storm cloud, the vocals prowling underneath as visibility becomes pointless, burning out in exhaust. “In Hell” punishes with punk-driven riffs, murky playing, and vocals that sink in their teeth, letting blood spatter as it pools beneath you. Finally, “Do You Still Love Me? No. 2” closes the recording, O’Donnell again insisting, “I don’t have the shakes, the shakes have me,” but this time over a more vulnerable, hypnotic bed of sound, perfectly lying this record to rest.

“Do You Still Love Me?” is a striking listen, both musically and knowing O’Donnell has breathed his last, but not before he worked to commit these songs to permanence. Planes Mistaken for Stars might not have been appreciated at the level they deserved, but for those with this band in their heart, this record is a perfect way to end this chapter, our losses recorded in time. There never will be another band like this, nor a force such as O’Donnell, and that makes the time we had with them ever the more precious, with these final songs etched in our minds forever.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/PlanesMistakenForStarsOfficial

To buy the album, go here: https://deathwishinc.com/collections/planes-mistaken-for-stars

For more on the label, go here: https://deathwishinc.com/