“Pearly” starts this album off, and it’s certainly a very eye-opening intro, starting off with blaring synths and spacey production. I’ll give Palm this, they certainly know how to generate excitement. But everything that follows is quite frankly, childish. I’m not completely sold on Eve Alpert’s vocals in this very jittery environment, even though I think she’s an incredible singer. But it’s everything else that really rubs me the wrong way. The otherworldly rhythms and the obtuse bass lines are all just so shallow. I just get the feeling of them sitting around planing out this track and thinking it’s the most adventurous track of the last 5 years. It’s far from it, and while “Pearly” is indeed a spectacle, nothing about this track screams “substance”. “Composite” sadly isn’t much better. I have to say, I’m still enjoying some of the sweet, Psych-Pop infused vocals. But instrumentally this is about as edgy as a PG Horror Movie. Nothing about this track rips my soul apart and makes me question everything I see. These are just half-baked, or maybe full-baked Art School ideas. “Composite” is alright at best. The instrumentals, however, are just so incredibly obnoxious. The repetitive fluttering bass is just so uninteresting. However, I will say that when Palm slows things down for some more spacious passages, they’re onto something. Now “Dog Milk” is actually a whole lot more straightforward with some of the rhythms, and Palm brings in some really nice steel drums. But oh boy, Palm really have a back for making instrumentals sound annoying in less than a minute. While I do think the Steel Drums are interesting, it’s everything else here that just won’t shut the hell up for a second and it’s really getting annoying very quickly. I really want to love tracks like this, mostly because Palm’s performances are so likable. These guys are energetic, genuinely wild sounding, and incredibly colorful, all things I love. But it’s everything else about “Dog Milk” that doesn’t add up. I feel like as these tracks go on, however, I do have more and nicer things to say, even if they’re not completely registering with me. I actually really love some of the vocals on “Forced Hand” and just how dreamy and Psychedelic they are. But holy HELL is this instrumental ever obnoxious. It’s constantly folding in on itself, and the very all over the place rhythms that “ARE JUST SO HARD TO PLACE MAAAAAAAAAAAN” are actually a whole lot more annoying than anything. I have nothing else to say about “Forced Hand” it’s literally putting me in a bad mood as seconds fly by. I give Palm this though, their performances continue to be charismatic and very animated.
But hey! What’s this going on with “Theme From Rock Island”? Why, it’s actual rhythms that make some amount of sense, sweet instrumentals, and a likable, breezy atmosphere. Clearly, I must be dreaming. But no, that’s actually exactly what we get here. This track is absolutely lovable down to every last tropical detail. It’s smooth and very dreamy, and I love the inclusion of all of those instrumentals floating through the background. And while yes, it’s short and instrumental, and maybe I wouldn’t mind some vocals, this track is an absolute pleasure to listen to. Palm continue however to go for the weird and the abstract with “Bread”. But, I have to admit, this one is a whole lot more in the realm of enjoyable. Now that some of these rhythms actually sound like they make a little sense after the smoke clears, there’s a whole lot of really beautiful stuff going on. Like I was saying earlier, Palm may have a very solid future in Psychedelic Pop, because that’s sort of what we’re getting here, and it’s awesome. I love Kasra Kurt’s very heavily layered vocals and the ridiculous spacey atmosphere on this one. Once again, it’s a pleasure to listen to. “Bread” is retro in parts, and totally modern in other parts, I can totally get with this. Now, “Color Code” is a little more abrasive and a little wonkier. But for a truly artsy and straight up weird tune here, this may be one of my favorites of the album. It’s just so joyous, and once again we find ourselves back in the realm of Psychedelic Pop. “Color Code” is sweet and innocent, but it also has a weird dark side that I seriously love. It’s short and to the point, and once again incredibly enjoyable. This is what I mean though, Palm, while they have clearly missed the boat with a lot of tunes on this album, ARE on to something. But then we have tracks like “Swimmer” which are just puzzling, to say the least. The last thing I wanted right now was a slow paced, lazy, and incredibly boring tune. There continues to be a sort of tropical feel to this, which is fine, but where did all that substance run off to? We’re right back to a bunch of rhythms that mean absolutely nothing. But here, they’re barely a factor because they don’t even exist. “Swimmer” is just a really bizarre, slow-paced tune that I never want to hear again.
Palm still has a few tricks up their sleeve. “Heavy Lifting” interestingly brings in a lot more Pop elements in, and that’s a real lifesaver. I honestly love some of the instrumentals here, even though they are a little out there and the rhythms may be a little messy. Obviously, Palm can find the medium between Pop and abrasive if they really try. Not to mention, some of the transitions here are done really well, as this one has a few different passages. “Heavy Lifting” really is the definition of the sound they should be going for. It’s a little on the pop side, but it’s still adventurous and creative enough to stand out. Hell, even that 2-minute instrumental jam is tasteful. But a track like “20664” is the exact opposite of what I wanted to hear. Sure, that sweet instrumental fluttering in the background is pleasant, and that beat that comes in is great. But way too many of these sound effects make me want to throw my coffee at the wall. Another minute of my time, absolutely wasted. Shockingly enough, Palm saves the best for last with “(Didn't What You Want) Happen”. This is absolutely what I wasn’t expecting to hear. This one has this fantastically slow, off-kilter, hazy rhythm to it that’s incredibly likable. But it’s the very Psych Pop vocals that really sell this one, and let me tell you they’re divine. I feel like this is the sound that they should stick with because it’s instantaneous and flooring. And for a 4-minute tune, it goes by wonderfully. “(Didn't What You Want) Happen” is just so sticky, and remains very left-field. But it has just enough elements that stick with you. There’s also some seriously nice vintage pop thrown in that I didn’t expect. You’ve finally got my attention Palm, let’s see if you can keep it in the future.
Rating: 6.2/10
Give A Listen To: “ (Didn't What You Want) Happen ”, “Bread”, “Color Code”, “Heavy Lifting”
Genre: Art Rock / Math Rock / Experimental Pop
Overall Thoughts: Palm have literally every element down pact that could make them THE new Exciting band to watch. Their performances are electric, they have tons of charisma, and their atmospheres are colorful. But with "Rock Island", they insist on going for incredibly repetitive, borderline tracks that are just so shallow. Sure, the rhythms are on point and their playing is usually fine, but there's no substance to way too much of this album. However, I do have to say there are some moments on here that show Palm breaking into some more Psych Pop territory that's actually very flattering.
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