180
Grab this debut from England\'s Palma Violets, and when the backlashing naysayers start their whining, just put your earbuds in and stomp-dance into the sunset. Palma Violets\' sound is rich with history (The Velvet Underground, The Doors, even Iggy) yet firmly modern (British Sea Power, Vaccines, Toy). It\'s a smart, riotous blend of then and now, carefully balancing somber and ecstatic, bombastic and brooding. With the pounding, essential single \"Best of Friends\" zipping up the British charts like a rat with its tail on fire, you might not expect the rest of the album to have the same oomph. But it does: \"Rattlesnake Highway\" and \"We Found Love\" soar on grimy, distorted pop pretensions; \"Tom the Drum\" thumps and swoops with a goofy menace. Tunes like \"Last of the Summer Wine\" and \"Step Up for the Cool Cats\" unfold with the swirling, slow build of a Galaxie 500 or Spiritualized tune, eventually blooming into psych-pop brilliance. Key to the Violets\' success are Chilli Jesson\'s throbbing bass lines and rich voice and the expressive, soulful organ work of Pete Mayhew.
Palma Violets are a young band who've already received ecstatic acclaim from the most excitable parts of the English music press. They sound like rock music probably entered their lives with the Arctic Monkeys, and they’re still thrilled by it.
Palma Violets are a young band who've already received ecstatic acclaim from the most excitable parts of the English music press. They sound like rock music probably entered their lives with the Arctic Monkeys, and they’re still thrilled by it.
Derivative 180 might be, but it’s also rammed full with jangly, addictive melodies that burst into life and disappear almost as quickly.
Derivative 180 might be, but it’s also rammed full with jangly, addictive melodies that burst into life and disappear almost as quickly.
The UK music press has long been obsessed with championing a new, up-and-coming act almost every other week, labelling band after band "the...
The UK music press has long been obsessed with championing a new, up-and-coming act almost every other week, labelling band after band "the...
Such is the hype emanating from certain parts of the U.K. media around Palma Violets many critics and bloggers must be tempted to shoot them down at the earliest opportunity.
Such is the hype emanating from certain parts of the U.K. media around Palma Violets many critics and bloggers must be tempted to shoot them down at the earliest opportunity.
They may be great live but the Palma Violets fail to cut it in the studio, writes <strong>Phil Mongredien</strong>
They may be great live but the Palma Violets fail to cut it in the studio, writes <strong>Phil Mongredien</strong>
Northern Transmissions Reviews Palma Violets '180'. The album was produced by Steve Mackay of "Pulp". 180 is now available on Rough Trade Records.
Northern Transmissions Reviews Palma Violets '180'. The album was produced by Steve Mackay of "Pulp". 180 is now available on Rough Trade Records.
The Palma Violets have been hyped as the anointed saviours of indie – but this album suggests they need time, writes <strong>Alexis Petridis</strong>
The Palma Violets have been hyped as the anointed saviours of indie – but this album suggests they need time, writes <strong>Alexis Petridis</strong>
Derivative debut from great hopes of guitar pop proves enjoyable. CD review by Thomas H Green
Derivative debut from great hopes of guitar pop proves enjoyable. CD review by Thomas H Green