Palma Violets Danger in the club album review

There’s always that one album that hits you so hard and so right that you almost fear the inevitable follow up, so sure are we that nothing could possibly beat the sheer beauty of this particular record. That album for me has always been Palma Violets 2013 debut 180, one of the only records that I’ve taken literally as a part of me; those tracks have been the boozed up accompaniment to my Friday nights throat stinging pre drinks, the kick in the shin to wake me up on that befuddled morning bus journey to college and ultimately the caress of comfort when my tiny little word seems to be falling apart and my pillow is somewhat damp at three in the morning.

So with the release of their second album at the beginning of May, more than anything I was eager to hear something fresh from the boys after two years of the same twelve or so tracks, with that lurking doubt that it just might not suffice. The band spent time on a rural welsh farm recording the album, which is reflected in short, warbling introductory track “Sweet Violets”.

Danger in the club is certainly one of those albums that won’t reach you straight away; it’s a grower and it will take more than one quick listen to appreciate the depth of most of the tracks. Stand out tracks are the rugged, acoustic elegance of “The Jacket Song”, in which we see bassist Chilli Jesson take centre stage with his throaty vocals and sharp use of a jacket as a metaphor in which to base this melancholic love song on. On the other end of the spectrum another track I thoroughly enjoy is “Peter and the gun”, based upon a dream front man Sam Fryer had about keyboardist Peter Mayhew embarking on a crazed rampage. The great thing about this track is how it almost sounds like two different songs that have been merged into one, somehow managing to sound both atmospheric/gothic and itching-ly catchy all at once as it takes you from low and dark, to upbeat and defiant and back again, all the way painting you this beautifully disturbing narrative of a weapon wielding psychopath stumbling on his dastardly journey.

“Coming over to my place” with it’s blazing declaration of “I would rather die than be in love”, is a refreshing steer away from the stale and done-to-death celebration of being in love that we hear all too often in music. The satirical brilliance of fast paced track “Gout! Gang! Go!” with lyrics about the menopause and craving for wine, shine if anything for the content of the lyrics alone. Eponymous tune “Danger in the club” will strike a chord with any of us who have ever entered a bar/club and felt that ripple of anticipative fear as you both partake in and undergo the ritual of being sized up by everyone in the room. It articulately pin points that feeling of not knowing quite what to expect that we’re all familiar with. The album ends on a high with “English Tongue”, a sing-along track that follows the aggressively poignant tale of woe of protagonist “Hugh Diver”, with hints of folk in the storytelling aspect that are bound together with the bands definitive, energetic, pub rock sound.

Overall the album makes for an intriguing and fulfilling listen. Although they’ve retained their punk orientated, pub rock style and sweat soaked, adrenaline fuelled flare, it’s great to see some growth in the length of the tracks and the progression of the lyrics. The shambolic, lurching, loud mouthed undercurrents of the record are exactly what make it so brilliant. Having heard some of the tracks live at Rough Trade East on the day of their album launch, it’s safe to say that the combination of tracks from both albums makes for a powerful set list and one hell of a crowd reaction. If you haven’t already, this is one band that you need to see live as they put on the best show out of any live act I have ever seen, as well as having one of the greatest crowds in terms of movement, atmosphere and reaction.
100% would recommend buying this album!