Planes Mistaken for Stars cry Mercy with new CD Joseph W. W Bateman Local Arts Reporter Nearly two years after putting out Up in Them Guts on No Idea Planes Mistaken for Stars Star's return with a new label Abacus and Mercy their latest record With their ten year anniversary as a band around the corner comer Mercy could be their best release in their sordid career For those that have heard the name but not the band and it would be hard as they've logged nearly touring dates worldwide could be thought of as just another emo band Maybe opinions of are being conceived from the time spent on their first label emo heavyweights Deep Elm Records Whatever the case nothing could be further from the truth the Denver-based Denver piece four are a dirty discordant and dark rock- rock roll n-roll band that would make Black Sabbath and Black Flag proud That is mixed in with the guttural and gruff vocal styling of Gared ODonnell their sound into a genre would be hard and even their page takes issue with it Sounds like is usually a pretty hard question nJ P IFS's release tip 1 j in W Mr fua f J RIS to answer especially for a band who doesn't even usually sound like themselves from one record to the next according the bands band's page Instead of getting pinned to one genre their universal appeal brings fans from metal heads to emo and hardcore kids Everyone across the musical spectrum can relate to the originality of Any attempt to classify them would be an injustice to a band that is truly different Instead hearing to believe their power and originality they possess is highly recommended Their power progressed first from Deep Elm Records to No Idea to their new home of Abacus Recordings Throughout the bands career they felt rushed during recording time whether by time constraints wanting to to get back on the road as soon as possible or budget concerns Deciding to focus their efforts and take their time with Up in Them Guts their efforts really paid off ten-fold ten with an outstanding record capturing the experience Their efforts didn't go unnoticed with several critics labeling Up in Them Guts as one of the Top Ten Records of 2004 Their efforts also caught the attention of Abacus Recordings With Abacus Recordings behind them continued their focus with Mercy Bringing in producer Matt Bayles and his invaluable experience working with witha a slew of bands from Mastodon Norma Nonna Jean and Isis and the stellar production allowed to really progress past Up in Them Guts Mercy is solid from start to finish Grabbing the listeners attention with the phenomenal guitar work of ODonnell O'Donnell and Matt Bellinger such as on tracks Killed By Killers Who Kill Each Other and Little Death This is some of the most interesting guitar work heard in quite some time Actually everything on this album is stellar from the production to the music to the artwork While Up in Them Guts caught the attention of critics and fans this album is sure to win legions of listeners and end up on the Best Records of 2006 lists I know it will be one mine mme V V H W i si v S- S f s