Plan Nine is a project by Arjen Lucassen and Robert Soeterboek which has its origins back in the early 1990s. Lucassen should need to introduction – Ayreon, Star One his solo stuff etc.
Robert Soeterboek is a name you may not be familiar with. He’s a wonderful vocalist and has appeared on a number of Lucassen’s projects over the years.
The pair of them connected around 1990 when Lucassesn was figuring out what to do after the Vengeance farewell tour and noticing Robert performing with Bodine – who Lucassesn was a member of prior to joining Vengeance.
They formed Plan Nine (named after Plan Nine from Outer Space, reputedly the worst film ever made) working up a number of songs together which, whilst attracting some record company attention, the project did not take off.
Lucassen went on to spectacular success with his Ayreon albums with Robert not enjoying the same fame.
Now here in 2024 the pair of them have dusted off those old Plan Nine songs making them in to finished versions and issued a very fine album.
In the liner notes for the For Ayreonauts Only album, on which Robert sings the version of Out of the White Hole from Ayreon’s Universal Migrator album – it states: this guy songs more like Coverdale than Coverdale himself”. Indeed he does. Listen to Plan Nine and you’ll agree.
In putting this together to they’ve roped in a spectacular bunch of musicians including Joost Van Den Broek on keyboards, Ken Herfst on drums and the spectacular guitar skills of Marcel Signor and not forgetting Irene Jansen putting in superb backing vocals.
The Long Lost Songs is an album of classic bluesy based hard rock which is very enjoyable and a great showcase for Robert’s vocal talents.
Doctor Robert’s Medicine Show, The Preacher and Annie Moore have real swagger about them and a bit of a southern rock element.
Get Down to Bizniz a thumping rocker then we have Before the Morning Comes which is a slower brooding bluesy ballad on which Robert’s vocal is truly sublime. More Coverdale than Coverdale indeed…..! Features some fine keyboard work and a solo full of feeling from Signor. Check out the video:
High Speed Chase is high speed. Let it Ride, Ice on Fire and Long Cold Night all add to the enjoyment. Then comes the not too serious but fun Drunker Than Whisky and the closer of Die With Your Shades On romps along with another fine solo from Signor.
Overall it’s a winner of an album all the way through. The smokey, bluesy style with the swirling organ and other keyboard work from Van Den Broek allied with the guitars of Lucassen and Signor, solid bass work with a bit of a funky edge, rock-solid drumming and the wonderful vocals make Plan Nine a superb listen.
Arjen always over-delivers and Plan Nine is no exception. The album has eleven songs. Then there’s the second disc comprising of two bonus tracks, five demos and fourteen home demos.
Plan Nine is proper classic and classy bluesy hard rock as it should be. Reminds me of say early Whitesnake when they were still good – say Lovehunter or Ready an’ Willing.
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