“Forever” Painted Palms
Energetic psych-pop with relatively simple lyrics from San Francisco-based cousins, Reese Donahue and Chris Prudhomme. This is their debut full-length CD. The duo reportedly began their collaborative efforts when they lived hundreds of miles apart, sharing via the Internet. Now, although they live within blocks in the City, they still write and record largely in isolation before exchanging their contributions via the Web. Painted Palms’ sound is similar to a number of groups: Girls, Tame Impala, Animal Collective, and in places — the Beatles or Beach Boys. Many of the tracks start with sampled noise — sometimes it works; at other times, you may want to cue past it.
— Francis

Recommended: 4, 9, 12, 1, 11, 5. No FCCs detected.

1. (3:29) Too High – Opens with a swooshing synth build-up. Then becomes a bright, bouncy tune with calliope-like synth swirls and squiggles, chimes, and lots of sugary hooks. Like a day at the amusement park. ***
2. (3:18) Here It Comes – Glittery with shooting star synths. Prominent tambourine samples. Simple pop melody like from the 1960s.
3. (3:28) Hypnotic – Rolling, mesmerizing synthscape with trip-hop rhythm and nice keyboards. Vocals pretty indistinguishable at times in the noise.
4. (3:00) Forever – Helicopter-like synth loops to begin. Then, breaks into a very Beatles-like, layered psych-pop tune. Wow – this is good! ****
5. (5:37) Soft Hammer – Softer ballad. Lyrics about, “Never ever said the things that mattered…” Shimmering synths, with clacking beat added partway through. Really similar to the Beach Boys or similar 1960s groups. Gets a little noisy near the end of the long lead break. **
6. (2:48) Carousel – Let’s see…it’s a carousel-like melody. Falsetto vocals and distorted guitars.
7. (3:14) Not Really There – Another sweet, sing-along round with industrial synth rhythm. Bubbling synths with squiggles in the lead break.
8. (0:29) Hope That You See It Now – Very short, distorted, floating 29-second interlude. Like the Morning Benders.
9. (3:06) Spinning Signs – Exceptionally catchy — first single. Triplet-based, stuttering rhythm and shimmering synths. Throwback flavor like a 1970s Bowie tune. Nice female chorus backing. ****
10. (3:56) Sleepwalking – Starts with 24 seconds of sampled noise that really doesn’t fit with the rest of the track. Airy ballad with soft, dreamy harmonies and busy rhythm foundation providing nice energy.
11. (3:19) Empty Gun – Up-tempo, warm, hooky melody. Very Tame Impala-esque. Synths, plinking piano, and backbeat drums. **
12. (3:52) Angels – Slower tempo. Strumming acoustic guitar and high reverbed vocals — underscored by smooth harmonies on the background vocals. More depth of emotion than in other tracks. Very strong finish. ****