Armed with a simple piano melody and a charging four-word chorus, Phantom Planet became West Coast bards with their 2002 single “California,” a Golden State love letter that pithily evoked grand Angeleno myths: manifest destiny, beach bliss, seeing that dude from that movie in the Ralph’s checkout line. Playing under the opening credits of The O.C., it was the best-written thing in the show. Their fourth album explores a creepier Cali staple, one that unites Charles Manson and Tom Cruise: the cult. The title track commingles rock uplift and sectist uplift (“I know it’s tough down there,” Alex Greenwald sings with hammy, slurred condescension, “wave your hands and summon the spirits”); “Leader” sneers at a would-be prophet who outfits acolytes with uniforms and uniform beliefs. Effective cults do harness the logic of pop music, washing brains with catchy mantras. The guitar rock here is loud, taut, buoyant—but stands little chance of getting inside your head.

Download: "Demon Daughters"