PALMAS
To The Valley
Reviewed by: Bryan Culver
PALMAS have been riding the hype train lately—and deservedly so. This band of Philly and New York City dudes proudly advertise their musical influences on their sleeves—in fact, it wouldn’t be too shocking if BEACH BOYS wasn’t inked right onto their half-sleeve tattoos.
They couldn’t have curated a more fitting image for their debut EP, To The Valley: A sun scorched, vintage, photograph–perhaps taken on an old Polaroid camera–of a well-tanned beach bum carrying his board up a sand dune.
It might be mid-November here in Philly, but To The Valley is a 20-or-so minute daydream (or tease) to bask in the sun, frolic on the sandy shore, and drift in the waves.
The formula for a well-executed surf rock album is not an obscure recipe and PALMAS follows it faithfully on To the Valley: equal parts 60s-esque vocal harmonies, popsicle-stick-sweet lyrics about teenage summer love, and tremolo-oscillated guitar that puts the vibrato arm to work. None of the elements are out of place on this record—even the production work gives it that dated, antique record-player sound. The lyrics fit right into the summer innocence naivety vibe such as “Can we go out tonight? / Tell me you won’t break my heart” on “Sweet Water”.
Like any trip to the beach, To The Valley, ends way too fast. The grooves are infectious, and to PALMAS’ credit, the length of the album is just enough to keep you interested and also want more—the EP opens with “Buzzcut”, a 27-second amuse-bouche to introduce their cohesive sound—it’s a perfect mix of 60’s James Bond lounge and Quentin Tarantino rockabilly.
Grab this EP and load it onto your device. It’s the ideal companion to get you energized as you make those crisscross hikes across the bustling Philly streets as you march to work in the morning.
Rating: Bad-Ass
