I’m not really sure what to make of Madison, Wisconsin’s Pale Young Gentlemen and their newest album Black Forest (Tra La La). The band is made up of four guys and three gals that play a lush and orchestrated bit of indie-pop that sounds like a cross between the literate likes of (maybe) Andrew Bird and The Decemberists but more dreary than either. Heck, there are many places here that share the overly-dramatic Old World European tone that Beirut does so well. It might be the strings and the downtrodden grey-skied chamber pop melodies or the march of the drums, but Black Forest (Tra La La) really makes me think of simpler and grander times. Sure, many of the sounds Pale Young Gentlemen have on display here are of the pastoral and bucolic variety, but there is a cinematic playfulness (think joyous Oktoberfest celebrations from a century ago) that seems somber like all they could muster was a half smile. All in all, Black Forest (Tra La La) sorta does conjure images of the Schwartzwald’s rolling hills even if only in my mind. Bratwurst anyone?
MP3 | Pale Young Gentlemen – The Crook Of My Good Arm Black Forest (Tra La La)
MP3 | Pale Young Gentlemen – Our History Black Forest (Tra La La)
BONUS:
MP3 | Pale Young Gentlemen – Paper Planes (M.I.A. Cover)
