Plan 9 - Dealing With The Dead
Criminally underrated and totally bizarre. A rogue band from Rhode Island once redefined psychedelic music during the time of hair metal and plastic disco, and they did so silently. Dealing With The Dead is the second release from a relatively unknown band known as Plan 9. The group derived their name from one of the most campy and hilarious science fiction films of the 1950s, Plan 9 from Outer Space. The film has gone down as one of the quintessential cult classics that is so bad, yet so good. The band, however, is just plain good. Coupled with one of the most electrifying album covers of the 80’s, this garage-rock hidden gem deserves its day in the limelight.
The record launches into the driving rocker “I Like Girls,” reminiscent of Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal-era Lou Reed. They blast through a few verses, singing of girls who “walk in triplicate,” “sink their teeth,” and “work the crowd,” before descending into a bluesy jam that could have been heard on a Cream album.
“B-3-11” follows with a funky backbeat and some Talking Heads inspired percussive tones. The second track highlights their ability to craft a catchy rock song while dipping back into the psychedelic sound that made the 60’s so iconic. “White Women” sets the stage for a haunting country-tinged ballad with heavy tremolo guitar and cascading organ.
The six minute title track sounds like it could have been superimposed over the very movie from which the band drew its name. The intro feels like a walk through the Twilight Zone. The gritty production value is put on full display in this ethereal science-fiction saga.
On “Step Out Of Time” guitarist and singer Eric Stumpo sings, “you begin to lose your mind.” At this point in the album that is just about the way you should be feeling. One of the most admirable aspects of the album is how well crafted it is. The record effortlessly descends into a more experimental space with each new track.
“Gone” is a short, blistering little song that jumped straight out of 1967 San Francisco and landed in a Rhode Island recording studio. “Beg For Love” chills with its biting lyrics and piercing layers of guitar work.
“Can’t Have You” puts the bassist on full display, showing some masterful dexterity to lay the groundwork for the exceedingly fun call and response jam. “Tell me why I can’t have you,” they sing before segueing into a monumental instrumental section.
The album concludes with “Keep On Pushin” which feels like it is getting faster with each slap of the snare drum. “Someday the light will shine on me,” is sung, as if to say the whole album was a trip through a darker, more sinister reality.
The excitement of underground music often comes from the hard-to-find rarities with little to no readily obtainable information on the musicians. Plan 9 has developed a significant fanbase, and remain a hidden gem among psychedelic and garage music enthusiasts.
