PLANET CREATURE play an album release/house party at 7 Dora (Bloor and Lansdowne) on Saturday (April 28). See listing. Rating: NNN
Planet Creature, Toronto’s all-female garage pop quintet, mix infectious bubble-gum hooks with a raw, slightly dark edge. You’re On Planet Creature showcases their light/dark approach, layering reverby, girl-group harmonies (all five members sing) over bouncy organ and swirling, high-pitched guitar riffs.
The songs stay in your head, while the psychedelic, lo-fi production often saves them from sounding too lightweight. Meanwhile, the band’s forays into slower, moodier territory – like the dreamy (but unfortunately named) Hymns For Hitler – are just as liable to get under your skin.
That said, despite being billed as their debut LP, the album whips by in under 25 minutes. That’s barely longer than their Pigeon EP. Still, that means Planet Creature never overstay their welcome.
Top track: Devil In Her Eyes