Rock n Roll for friends, by friends… and every fan is a friend. Well now doesn’t that just feel bliss? Sydney’s own rowdy rocker icons Palms deliver nothing less than the latter with their incredibly catchy and punchy breed of thrash pop. The boys have time and time again effectively delivered superlative good vibes through their ability to flawlessly capture their goofy personalities on record ultimately delivering a down to earth and uplifting experience. Now with summer well and truly on its way Palms’ latest effort, amusingly entitled Crazy Rack, couldn’t have arrived at a better moment.
Are you chomping at the bit for some bare knuckled garage rock with a hint of goofiness? Palms have what you need with their latest album Crazy Rack.
Recorded at Linear Recording Sydney with producer Owen Penglis of Straight Arrows and Nick Franklin from Fabergettes as engineer, you can rest assured that Crazy Rack was left in the hands of the pros with plenty years of experience under their belts. Al Grigg (Palms’ frontman) has been playing alongside Penglis in the Straight Arrows for years now; additionally Brendan Walsh (Palms’ bassist) plays alongside Franklin in their garage rock project Fabergettes, whilst Dion ‘Danger’ Ford (Palm’s guitarist) was also formally in the Atom Bombs with Franklin. What we’re left with is the ultimate instance of mate’s rates, the album seeing contributions from friends that only further amplifies the “For Friends by Friends” vibe.
Crazy Rack kicks off with one debut single Bad Apple; an electrifying track marrying blood pumping riffs with a laid-back summer attitude. Bad Apple and its infectiously catchy melodies set the tone for the most part of the album really; that’s not to say the guys don’t spice things up. No More is the halfway point of the record and instantly takes a step back from the thrashing riffs and tasty lead licks. Breaking out the acoustic guitar here Palms display a much softer side whilst notably retaining an ever-memorable appeal. Its pretty much the picture-perfect tune for leisurely swaying in the sunshine.
Beatdown was yet another single released in the lead up to Crazy Rack and for good reason. Beatdown is pure hype; utterly blaring through its short lived one-and-a-half minutes with implacable energy. Honestly its thrilling tracks like these that attribute to the overall joyful experience of listening to a Palms record. Personally the Crazy Rack fun flew by in no time at all, its as though I was transferred into a hypnotic state of garage rock euphoria devoid of time. By the time the eleventh and final track Dreamcatcher comes along, you’d be wishing there was more as Crazy Rac comes to an unfortunate but anticipated end. Oh well, I guess that’s what the loop feature on mp3 players is made for.
If you’re a fan of great catchy garage rock with thrashing riffage and tasty guitar licks, Palms are most certainty right up your alley. Crazy Rack is a joyful experience from start to finish and will be a great way to add some flare to your summer. Or even better you can catch them LIVE! Much Wow… live music?
That’s right Australia has hard working gigging musicians who kick ass live! Palms are no exception; these guys downright kill it live and have opened up for acts such a Cloud Nothings and Violent Soho. So get out of the house and give these boys a run for your money!
