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Plan A Releases CD 2This Knoxville Music Scene review of Plan A's CD release at Barley's Taproom, June 9 2006, is by Bethany Tomkins. To borrow from one of their own songs, Plan A is breaking Knoxville. Big-time. Since their formation in 2003 (and with a bit of a line-up reshuffle since), they've already given the world one album, and another is now on the way. Whether you're already a fan, or heard them for the first time on Friday, it's easy to say that the Knoxville music scene is holding its breath for their follow-up CD. Frontman Matt Woods is known around town in various circles either for his work as lead singer/rhythm guitar for the band Magpie Suite; as one-half of the duo Absolute Wood seen week to week at some of Knoxville's coziest venues; and in recent years, for his work with Plan A. Lead guitarist Brian Jolley did double-duty on Friday, standing in for the bassist in The Cornbred Blues Band, followed by doing his usual thing in Plan A the same evening. Speaking of filling in empty spots, Doug Shock Band drummer Brad Jacobus provided the percussion without missing a beat (pun totally intended!), and new member Brad Thomas fed out the bass lines that current Plan A followers crave, and new fans instantly find an affinity for. On to the songs! If you've attended any gigs that Matt Woods has done without the band, you've no doubt heard some of the new material from the upcoming CD (due out in late summer). One song that's bound to be a new favorite for Knoxville music scene listeners, "Ghost in my Bed," will likely end up as the first single from this year's release. Matt's soulful, plaintive pleading for freedom from the memory of a past love strikes a chord within us, and in hearing it, we sympathize. On a different tip, "The Lonely Ones" moves us to tap our feet right along with it, from the bouncing pop intro to the hard-line rock outro. Old favorites were in the set-list from the boys, too. If you haven't heard the current single, "Sunshine," on local radio yet, call in to WUTK 90.3 or WFIV 105.3 and request it! Those of us at Friday's show were treated to two versions of it - one with the entire band (on which Brad Thomas did an amazing job with the bass, matching perfectly to Brad J's drumming, Brian's melody and Matt's vocals), and a version later on with just Matt and an acoustic guitar. With "Breaking Knoxville," there's a contrast of gritty realism to all of the shiny facades that people tend to show, and for friendships that are changed or challenged. Plan A is no different from most bands; their songs are usually written with a first-person perspective. However, they somehow always remain open to interpretation, and you feel invited to form your own opinion, and draw your own conclusions. "Angel," another song from their debut CD, prompts you to debate whose side you're on -- do you feel bad for the girl in Matt's world who couldn't live up to his expectations? Or for him now realizing that maybe it could have worked after all. Whistling electric guitar and a solid bass undercurrent push you to decide the same way that music in a movie provokes tears, fear, or laughter from the audience. For those readers who won't be leaving the Knoxville music scene next weekend for Bonnaroo 2006, I heartily advise you to check out Plan A's next show, which will be at The Prince Sports Bar & Deli (509 Lovell Road) on Saturday, June 17th at 10pm. Joining Plan A will be Jon Worley and his Cornbred Blues band, so it will definitely be the kind of show that will knock your socks off while you knock back a few drinks. On a final note, Plan A is offering a special promotion to all MySpace members this month. In anticipation of the next Plan A CD's release, the debut album, "The View Through These Words," can be purchased from Plan A's MySpace page.
Photos from the show at Barley's can be found at Bethatomic.com Return to Knoxville Music Scene from Plan A
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