Phantom Planet has benefited from disproportionate media attention over the past few years, due primarily to the fact that their drummer, Jason Schwartzman, is a movie star. In a surprising twist, Phantom Planet, with their new album, The Guest, have lived up to the fanfare.

The Guest is a pleasantly aggressive compilation of pop tunes that will remind you of, well, just about everything. From the harmonizations on "Hey Now Girl" that are startlingly reminiscent of the Beach Boys, to the head-banging, floor-thumping riffs in "California," Phantom Planet's style really has something for everybody.

The lyrics, approximately eighty-five percent of which come from lead vocalist Alexander Greenwald, tend to the typically-twenties canon. "California" idealizes the road-trip experience; "Anthem" speaks of hopes to achieve the ideal through song; "Turn Smile Shift Repeat" laments over the capitalist's lifestyle.

The Guest presents a band that combines so many forms, styles, influences and experiences so effectively that it has created a sound uniquely its own. Once in a while, one gets the sense that these boys have gone overboard with their tinkering, as synthesized sounds come seemingly from nowhere. Overall, though, Phantom Planet has produced an album that is thoroughly satisfying, an excellent sophomore effort, and just plain fun.