Palma Violets début album 180 is out now through Rough Trade Records / Remote Control.
180, the house number of their south London dwelling, where Palma Violets regularly threw renowned get-togethers and spontaneous performances for friends and followers. The debut album from the London four-piece was recorded in RAK Studios and at The Lightship and produced by Pulp bassist Steve Mackey as well as Rory Attwell.
At the Reading Festival, UK, fate interrupted the partying allowing schoolmates Sam Fryer, Pete Mayhew, Will Doyle and Chilli Jesson to meet. Disheartened by the need of expressive and significant music they felt obligated to start making music together.
After receiving accolades from the likes of hipper-than-thou magazine NME the Palma Violets have been catapulted into the limelight. Elements of The Ramones and Echo And The Bunnymen fused with the youthful abandonment of energetic alternative rock. Even psychedelic/garage rock filtered with indie can be encountered along 180’s path.
Fryer’s vocals have a range from screeching punk, shouty rawk to emotive monotone with lots of reverb. This is harmonized with foot-taping rhythm the band creates giving life to the lyrics skilfully. The band-wagon is already pretty full with ‘hype’ and their combined age doesn’t add up to much, but lets hope they’re given time to showcase what makes them different from the usual wishy-washy alt/indie stereotypes.
Highlights include Stay Up For The Cool Cats with its two-chord organ and energetic drums - it’s liveliness and cheeky youthfulness in equal measure. Three Stars marks another side of the band not often heard elsewhere on 180 but it’s textured, uncomplicated and effective. Other songs that get Undercover.fm jumping like a kangaroo on a pogo are Chicken Dippers and the debut single and album opener Best Of Friends.
A notable debut; an eruption of twangy bass, clattering drums, thumping chords and use of keys/organs that sets it apart from the sweaty, skinny jeans crowd. There’s more vigour and oomph than a night out with the Australian men’s swimming team. But that’s not to say it’s complete - there are times when Palma Violets sound mature then a chorus can pop-up and make you remember they’re just beginning their musical journey.
180 track listing:
1. Best Of Friends
2. Step Up For The Cool Cats
3. All The Garden Birds
4. Rattlesnake Highway
5. Chicken Dippers
6. Last Of The Summer Wine
7. Tom The Drum
8. Johnny Bagga¹ Donuts
9. We Found Love
10. Three Stars
11. 14
