Pale Pose is a new project out of Athens, GA (home to another mildly famous band know as R.E.M.). The project was started by Kyle Kendall as a one-man band indulging in a variety of styles deeply indebted to the underground. Tom Ashton of The March Violets and Clan of Xymox came on board to offer up his studio wizardry and the rest, as they say, is history. Now, I was already excited when I heard snippets of the album when it was sent my way for potential review, but when I saw The March Violets connection, I had to smile to myself. A few years ago, I desperately wanted to see The March Violets in Seattle but could not make the timing work. Life happened, the band is no more, and I missed out on a great opportunity. So, seeing Tom Ashton’s involvement whetted my appetite, you could say. And what an album this is! Doorways; The Exiter is a brooding, masterful debut release from Pale Pose.
Shadow Tooth kicks off the album with a bit of surf guitar, classic Goth vocals, and an abundance of atmosphere. Bowie by way of Bauhaus with a dash of Beach Boys. The killer B’s. A Parcel Apart is probably my favorite song on the release. The space & atmosphere recalls such luminaries as The Chameleons, The Cure, and Cocteau Twins. So, I guess that’d be the gloomy C’s. Anyway, the latter half of the song takes it the energy up a notch, dare I say – to almost jam like vibes. It is an incredible listen. Apparition is a perfect song title, and as a song it is perfect too. I’m going to let you in on a little secret – I love hair metal. I don’t care what people think of it, whatever – it makes me happy. And this song strongly calls to mind a hybrid of a hair metal ballad by way of Nick Cave vibes. And I mean that in the best possible way. Black Stone I concludes the album in epic fashion, encapsulating all the strong points that preceded this song.
This is a project worth investigating and can be found here. You can also follow the band here.
Verdict: Dark Classic
For Fans of: The March Violets, Bauhaus, The Cure, The Chameleons, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
Tracks:
- Shadow Tooth
- A Parcel Apart
- Masks With Blue Dynamite
- Candle On The Summit
- Watch The Dark Move
- Apparition
- The Walking
- Black Stone I
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