Artist: Chris and Mollie
Album: The Palm Tree
Label: Carrot Top
Release Date:available now
Rating: 7/10
Ever wonder what would happen if you blended Tillie and the Wall, Bright Eyes, upbeat instrumentation, and lo-fi pop altogether and played them through speakers? Admittedly not a lot of people do, but Chris and Mollie, a California pop of all trades duo, clearly have. Their album The Palm Tree is a romp through multiple styles of pop which never feels complacent in any place other than a serene musical background and half shouted (no screamo!), half sung enthusiasm.
Still not making any sense? Well that is actually par for the course. At times there are elements of a garage band Of Montreal vibe, sometimes Conor Oberst-esque whimpering, and even a slight Neutral Milk Hotel (yes, he just went there) influence, especially on the track “Mice Eyes†which employs a clarinet which soars above the strumming and odd percussion and is has a similar feel to In The Aeroplane Over the Sea.
You’re probably thinking, where does this all go though? The first listen of this album, specifically the opening track “Slow Sunrise†you might just want to stop listening. It’s odd and docile, but so much so that it is initially abrasive and hostile. It seems as if the band is headed for disaster and lacks direction. This sort of feeling dies with time however. I attribute this to the fact that Chris and Mollie’s music frequently identifies itself with the “twee†subgenre which is sunny pop music, so it comes as no surprise that the album is an acquired taste.
Giving the album a chance is wholly necessary. The first track may be nebulous and off putting initially, but it does grow on you and acts as a gateway to other wholly enjoyable pieces. Whether it’s the clunking drum sound that opens “Gravity†or the simplicity that encompasses the lovely tune “Waltzâ€, there is a lot lying underneath the seemingly simple arrangements that come in this album.
Moments of brilliance aside, this album is not for everyone. It takes time, patience, and the right mood to enjoy. Where it excels, it does so in leaps and bounds ahead of its peers, but its shortcomings are always present. It is a perfect soundtrack to a lazy summer drive or a carefree day. This record sets the tone for what undoubtedly will be a very interesting sound and career from this duo that still is working on its own sound and niche in music.
