Tuesday, February 9, 2016

From Russia With Love

In recent days, there has been quite a bit of Russian love in our community, such as Drew writing about Pinkshinyultrablast and the Swede covering Gnoomes. Seems like a good time to get in on the веселье. I first heard Palms on Fire last year when they received a coveted invite to NYC Popfest. Unfortunately, the Izhevsk band had visa issues and didn't make the festival. In the meantime, however, I heard the 'Cars' EP, via Dufflecoat Records, and really took to their airy pop. All smiles from those four songs, and I made a mental note to keep an eye on the trio.

I'm glad I did because Palms on Fire just released their first album. Shelflife Records presents 'Where Are The Grey Clouds Going?' The band has made quite a leap since that 2014 EP. Lots more jangle, too. Where you may have been reminded of Pipas before, now they sound a lot like "it" band Alvvays. Certainly nothing wrong with that. You'll notice "Cars" is on the tracklist. It's a rerecording. So, if you own that EP, you're going to want this one too. Shelflife has generously offered the single "Sword & Shield"/"Perfumed Boy" as a free download. Take the five seconds and click. You won't be disappointed.

If I may digress a moment, when I was doing a little research on this one I learned that Dufflecoat Records is folding up the tent. During their brief time, those folks proved they had quite an ear for the indie pop that's right in my wheelhouse. Sad news, indeed. We hardly knew ye. The fire sale continues here. Visit while you can.

7 comments:

drew said...

I really like that Brian. Thanks

Echorich said...

Brian - you KNOW that's right up my alley! Gorgeous!

Echorich said...

Sorry I meant to add my feelings of disappointment in seeing Dufflecoat Records closing shop. I discovered Arctic Flow through a friend in 2014 and that lead me to Dufflecoat and then Brideshead who make music that sounds like it came right out of 1983. Purveyors of fantastic international pop. Thank goodness Shelflife is still around.

MisterPrime said...

A very good single, Brian, thanks for the heads up. I particularly like that very eighties bit of keyboard that comes in at the end - very clever! Oh, and I finally read 'Popkiss' over the last few days - possibly one for the fans but without being overly-dry, if you know what I mean. I thought it was very well written. I'm housebound for a day or two convalescing from an op. so I'm catching up on a few things, couch'n'net-wise... Cheers for now.

JC said...

excellent!

The Swede said...

It's clearly all going on in Russia! 'Sword & Shield' is particularly excellent.

Brian said...

MisterPrime, Sorry to hear you're laid up. Hope you're doing the pogo at a Nottingham club very soon.

Echorich, Big fan of Dufflecoat. Not enough of us, I guess. I plan to do a little shopping with them before everything is gone.

Swede, JC and Drew, Great to see this one get such a nice reception. Like Dufflecoat, the folks at Shelflife know how to pick 'em! They always end up with a title or two on my year-end lists.