Pales - Album Review: Don't Be So Nice
Rose Blake, Mike Isaacs and Scott Maynard are the creators of Pales.
The trio have brought their array of skills and broad musical backgrounds to create arrangements heavily sounding of emotive folk.
A song that really stood out to me was the second tract in the album, Black Lung. Rhythmic drumming, layering of guitars combined with enchanting harmonies make this song hypnotic to the ear. The layering of vocals are beautiful also and really add calming qualities to this song.
Up It Goes I believe also deserves a mention. One of the more up tempo songs on the album, the soft beat and layered guitar leads you to a chorus that has a gorgeous melody and beautiful backing from Rose. This song is rich in texture and tempo, with it varying and changing throughout. It has a multitude of layers that is a delight to hear. This was my favourite track on the album, and I only wish there were more songs on this album that were more upbeat.
Don’t Be So Nice was another song I think deserved a mention, and is the song the album is named after. The intro to this song is beautiful, consisting of guitar plucking and electric guitar chords, followed by vocal harmonies. This is an emotional song and what I loved about it was that Pales have allowed much room for vocals. The sung words were accompanied by minimalist instruments that really allowed the emotion and meaning to seep through.
Pales' album is one constructed of beautifully created songs full of emotion and stunning harmonies. My only critiques are that I wished there was more of a range in the tempo of songs, with some of the tracks being to sombre for my ears, however, with that being said, Pales should be proud of their album, and if any folk genre fans are interested, their album gets released on the 6th of May, so go check it out!
About Pales
The Wellington based musicians began to work together under the name of Pales in early 2013. With Mike and Scott having already worked together in various other projects, such as Fuyuko's Fables, the opportunity to work with Rose was an exciting one; bringing a whole new range of sounds and approaches to the plate.
Pales' debut album, It's Cold Outside, features compositions by Mike Isaacs and was released in late 2013. Drawing inspiration from musicians such as Tiny Ruins, Other, Seth Frightening, Elliott Smith and Grizzly Bear, Pales used layered guitars, banjo, woodwinds - such as clarinets, bass clarinets and flutes - vocals, upright bass and a little bit of drums to create a unique ten track collection of folk based songs. The recording of It's Cold Outside took place in various bedrooms throughout the lower North Island of NZ and also features a few bits and pieces from fellow Wellington musicians James Paul (Groeni), Cory Champion (Louis Baker, The Digg, Fuyuko's Fables), Scott Maynard (Fuyuko's Fables, The Myele Manzanza Group), Alexander Green (Groeni, @Peace) and Rose Blake - who co-wrote the track Low. Additional engineering was done by Emi Pogoni, Darren Maynard and Mike Gibson. The final mixes were run through tape at Munki studios in Wellington, NZ.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Pales
Other Reviews By Ria Loveder
Gig Review: L.A.B. @ Black Barn, Hawke's Bay - 22/12/2019
11 Jan 2020 // by Ria Loveder
The weather leading to Sunday 22nd of December was unreliably sprinkled with a little bit of unpredictability. Luckily for the people that flocked to the gorgeous Black Barn Amphitheatre in the Hawke’s Bay to the sold-out L.
Read More...
Jessy & The Volunteers - Single Review: Phone Face
06 Aug 2019 // by Ria Loveder
For lovers of blues, funk and everything else in between, you have found yourself in the right place. Created and grown into a sexy meld of soul and RnB in a basement in Auckland, Jessy & The Volunteers’ have debuted their song and video Phone Face.
Read More...
Annie J - Single Review: Whenever You Leave Me
31 Mar 2019 // by Ria Loveder
Annie J’s song Whenever You Leave Me is one that all teenagers can relate to; that relationship that you want to be in, but distance seems to come creeping in. The lyrics are mature beyond her years and at the young age of 15; she’s showing that she has the writing capabilities to produce mature, insightful music.
Read More...
Two Cartoons - Single Review: Less People (Less Traffic)
29 Oct 2018 // by Ria Loveder
Back in 2015 I reviewed Two Cartoons EP Lost Boys Club and raved about how they seem to so effortlessly create tunes that need to be sung loud and proud. Three years later, their latest single Less People (Less Traffic) is no exception.
Read More...
Nicole Andrews - Album Review: A Stranger
04 May 2018 // by Ria Loveder
In 2015 I reviewed Nicole Andrews’ album In The Shallows and raved about her rawness and connection with her music. Needless to say, her second album A Stranger has done it again.
Read More...
nomad - Album Review: Can You Feel It?
13 Apr 2018 // by Ria Loveder
nomad soared into popularity with their catchy infectious pop tune Oh My My in 2016. After their song reached gold sales and they were nominated for Best Newcomers at the NZ Music Awards they are back with their debut album Can You Feel It?
Read More...
Ha the Unclear - Single Review: Wallace Line
08 Apr 2018 // by Ria Loveder
My music taste over the past year has changed a wee bit, and I am loving music that harks back to the 80's, and Ha the Unclear do just that. Their eccentric sound is filled with unconventional retro alt-pop music making them the perfect backing track to the New Zealand summer, pity we have just come into Autumn!
Read More...
Tom Lee-Richards - Single Review: Out Of The Oddness
20 Feb 2018 // by Ria Loveder
An experimenter of music from a young age, Tom Lee-Richards' passion for songs and composition is evident in his array of work. His latest single Out Of The Oddness has dropped and it is one track I recommend you listen to.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- TOO SWEET
Hozier - BEAUTIFUL THINGS
Benson Boone - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
Artemas - SATURN
SZA - STICK SEASON
Noah Kahan - END OF BEGINNING
Djo - LIKE THAT
Future And Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
Ariana Grande
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
