Goodbye Atmosphere Goodbye Traffic by Planar: A Journey Through Ethereal Soundscapes
Let’s get one thing straight—this album isn’t your run-of-the-mill rock or pop/rock record. Nope. Goodbye Atmosphere Goodbye Traffic is more like a sonic meditation, blending ambient vibes with downtempo beats and indie rock grit. Released back in 2005 (yeah, that long ago), it feels like the kind of project where every note was poured over late at night, maybe with coffee going cold on the studio desk.
Planar, hailing from the US, teamed up with labels Lujo Records and Gentle Records to drop this gem. And let me tell you—it’s got layers. The credits read like a family reunion of talent: Aaron Blankenship, Amber Blankenship, Billy Bennett, Kevin Strait pulling double duty as producer/engineer—and don’t even get me started on Damien Riddell’s artwork. It all ties together perfectly, like they were building some sort of auditory spaceship for listeners to float away in.
Now, onto the tracks. There are ten songs here—titles like “X,” “Y,” “Beta,” “Square Foot,” and so on—but two stuck out to me like neon signs in foggy weather. First off, there’s “Gamma.” Oh man, “Gamma” hits different. It starts slow, almost hesitant, like it’s tiptoeing into your soul. Then BAM—it opens up into this lush, ethereal swell that makes you wanna close your eyes and just breathe. I swear, I’ve listened to it five times in a row while staring out my window, pretending life wasn’t happening outside. That track alone could soundtrack any existential crisis—or breakthrough—you might be having.
Then there’s “Natural Log.” This one sneaks up on you. At first, it’s all soft whispers and delicate guitar plucks, but somewhere around the halfway mark, it shifts gears completely. The rhythm kicks in harder, sharper, and suddenly you’re not just listening anymore—you’re feeling it in your chest. By the end, it’s like the music has taken hold of your heartbeat itself. Every time I hear it, I think about those moments when everything seems quiet yet charged, like right before rain breaks during a storm.
The whole vibe of the album reminds me of driving alone under gray skies, windows down, letting the wind mess up your hair. It’s introspective without being pretentious, experimental without losing its humanity. Honestly, it’s hard not to appreciate how much care went into crafting each sound. You can practically feel the hours spent tweaking knobs, layering synths, and debating whether that one drum hit needed to come half a second sooner.
Here’s the kicker though—the more I listen, the less I understand why Planar didn’t blow up bigger. Maybe it’s because their style doesn’t fit neatly into playlists or radio slots. Or maybe…just maybe…it’s better this way. Like finding a hidden trail in the woods, untouched and wild, Goodbye Atmosphere Goodbye Traffic feels personal. Almost sacred.
So yeah, if you’re looking for something that challenges your ears but still soothes your soul, give this one a spin. Just don’t blame me if you start zoning out mid-conversation afterward.
