[LISTEN] Palace - Loud Places (Jamie XX Cover)

Palace have recorded a cover of Jamie XX's "Loud Places", the band have released this track without any hint that they were doing it, and it sounds like their previous EP too. Melodic, chilled out and with dreamy guitars, they've really pulled off a lovely cover!

Listen to it below.

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2015 Six Month Review; Who's Rocked and Who's Flopped?

It's June. The time of year where you whip out your shorts, shades and suncream only to return from your first outdoor ventures covered in mud, but with a bucket load of live music memories. It's not just festival season which makes the start of June so important, it's also a landmark of which new acts have excited you over the past few months, and an indication of what's to come from the remaining six months.

Here's a nice little round-up of this year's surprise packages and other er, rather unfulfilling ones.

Six Triumphant Returns

Blur - Albarn and co. returned in April with a new album, 'The Magic Whip'. Further announcements of another, yes another Hyde Park show (that's three in six years boys), whipped up a frenzy, and the band didn't disappoint, headlining British Summer Time just yesterday.

Fleetwood Mac - They were the band every punter was forcing onto Michael Eavis' lips but Fleetwood Mac pledged their allegiance to the Isle Of Wight festival, with a long tour of the UK and down-under to come.

Kendrick Lamar - None have been viewed quite as pretentious as Kendrick but following the early release of his new album 'To Pimp A Butterfly' heads havebegun the turn. He's all over the live circuit and a few have already tipped him as Kanye's successor. Watch that throne Kanye.

Florence and The Machine - Another modernday comeback, none would've predicated how big this four year wait would be. A critically acclaimed third album under her belt, Florence Welch is now headlining Glastonbury after Dave Grohl's broken leg ruled out the Foos.

Sleater-Kinney - You'd be mistaken for thinkingthey've just started up, fresh off the blocks with a sound not dissimilar to Haim. However, their album, 'No Cities To Love', is in fact their seventh studio album after a hiatus in 2006! Boy, we're glad they're back.

Justin Bieber - Hear us out on this one. Pre-2015 Bieber's life has set out to be a beautiful car crash. Come the turn of the year, something unimaginable happened. Diplo and Skrillex got into a studio, okay strange enough, but they invited Bieber with them. The result; the biggest floor-filler of the year. 'Where R U Now' is an instant classic, of sorts...

Six Bright New Things

Rat Boy - Essex boy Jordan Cardy must be pinching himself right now. Just six months ago you could've uttered 'rat boy' and someone might think you're plotting a shit superhero movie. Alas, Cardy is the real saviour, bringing back those raucous Jamie T vibes. Angst, angst everywhere.

Jamie XX - Who's not a fan of what the XX have done? Furthermore, who's not a fan of Jamie XX's solo turn and the release of his debut album 'In Colour'? It's a carefully crafted product of what's turning out to be one of the most important figures in music right now.

Courtney Barnett - There was always the worry Barnett's Aussie twangs could verge towards the Kylie and Jason spectrum of music from down-under. After the disappointment of this not being true had faded we were left with one of the most ballsy albums of the year with whimsical lyrics galore.

Real Lies -  Remember 1990? Nah, neither do I, but with the help from this trio I can just about imagine what it was all about. They're a cut between The Petshop Boys and New Order but everything they've produced is dedicated to ordinary folk dancing in Reebok classics. Watch out for an album soon.

LA Priest - Ex-Late of The Pier Sam Dust's opening few e-number induced statements are tracks full of funk and meaningless fun. With 'Oino' and 'Learning To Love', Dust has created two of 2015's most infectious songs and debut album, 'Inji', out at the end of June, is set to be rammed full of goodies.

Palace - If you haven't started your Sunday morning with these smooth talking chaps yet then you're doing it all wrong. The quartet released their 'Chase The Light' EP recently and it's a delicious cleanse for your eardrums, especially after listening to the collective above.

Six Top of the Flops

Foo Fighters - Dave, oh Dave, where did it all go so wrong? After literally flopping off the stage, Foo Fighters had to cancel gigs left, right and centre after Grohl broke his leg. Fair play to the man, it can't have been easy, but fans would've succumbed to a sit down version of 'All My Life'. If Jessie J can do it surely Dave can?

Peace's Return - After the success of 'In Love' and the huge pre-released singles such as 'World Pleasure' and 'Money', the B-Town boys' second album 'Happy People' left us, well, a bit disappointed. The other tracks didn't quite reach the levels of the singles and the extended edition proved far more fruitful.

The 1975 Prank - Judging by frontman Matty's not always positive-attitude it was surprising The 1975 were able to get away with such a 'hilarious' stunt. Nevertheless it worked for them, but not for us. They said they wanted to play 'intimate venues' again before announcing a tour of academies over the country. How modest.

pic.twitter.com/wXK2KiPbV1

— matty from the 1975 (@Truman_Black) June 2, 2015

 The Wombats - It's hard to know what will happen to The Wombats next. After a disappointing third album, it seems what worked in 2008 won't work anymore. At least they can serve their fans live, but with the Liverpool band really want to be chanting "kill the director" for years to come?

The Prodigy - It's a similar case scenario for the old time ravers too. 'The Day Is My Enemy' had the potential for something colossal but it's a shallow dive from 'Invaders Must Die' with track 'Ibiza' featuring Sleaford Mods proving particularly toxic.

Palma Violets - It's hard to move forward when you just don't give a toss what others have to say. Hats off to Palma Violets they've stuck to what they do best, but mellowed it... Judging by second album 'Danger In The Club', which was deemed "different" from their debut, there seems to be more danger in their song writing than a club right now.

Here's to the next six months where all eyes will be on festivals, flops and an interesting Kanye performance just around the corner...

By Josh Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

Palace share video for "Kiloran"

Palace have shared a new video for their track "Kiloran", the video was directed by Cyrus Mirzashafa, and shows off some great visuals of scenery and some trippy close-up shots. If you like what you see/hear you can grab it from iTunes - link below.

So scroll on down and check the video out.

Buy / Palace - Kiloran
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Gig Review... Palace @ Red Gallery, London, 10th April 2015

By the end of 2015 Palace could well be the success story of the year. Making their name as Jamie T’s support act last summer, it’s been a fast learning experience for the humble band. 

Photo taken by Marie-Claire Acton

Tonight they play the second show of their residency at Shoreditch’s Red Gallery; their biggest shows to date. I sat down with their drummer, Matt, to reminisce over their past few months including not one, but two invites to support Jamie T and their first UK tour. “That was awesome that tour, it seems like another world away. We didn’t know what the hell we were doing but that was instrumental.”

If their autumn tour last year was the making of Palace then these two shows are about nurturing the most intriguing melodies around right now. By the time night falls in Shoreditch, the quartet step out in front of those who have followed the subtle pitter-patter of their ascent so far. 

They’ve become more tight-knit and frontman, Leo, who used to cut a figure of a jittery Orlando Weeks, now snarls down the mic, scrunching up his face in ‘I Want What You Got’ and ‘Ocean Deep’. The charming pair of tracks from debut EP, ‘Lost In The Night’, whisper through a still crowd whereas Foals infused track, ‘So Long Forever’, could soon be ricocheting through a festival-sized tent. Its thumping drums and thunderous chorus are destined for bigger things but is something Palace would be used to after supporting Jamie T on his European tour recently. “They were massive venues” says Matt. “Some of the shit we saw was unreal. The crowd would part like Moses parting the red sea and people would just run at each other.” As rowdy as those crowds may have been, Matt admits they were able to win people over and with latest release, ‘Kiloran’, they’re set to blossom with their new EP which he says  has “no weak links.”

‘Black Heath’ is another of the tracks yet to be released on record. It soars towards a woozy jam and Leo clutches his guitar through the beads of sweat bursting from his brow. “Everything’s going really smoothly” Leo chuckles after picking the wrong guitar up for the band’s now routine cover of Chris Isaac’s ‘Wicked Game’. It’s Palace at their most sexy before bombarding the crowd with a triumphant singalong to ‘Bitter’. 

Relentless they have been and they’re set to keep going after the next EP. “An album feels like the next natural step” reveals Matt. Many of the tracks played tonight could well make their mark on that, including final song, ‘Head Above The Water’ which treads heavily before erupting into all types of instrumentals. With the band set to soar over summer, it’s worth noting “a big London show in Autumn” should be on the horizon, says Matt. 

Moments off stage and the champagne’s popped open, greeted with sweaty grins. More small victories like this and Palace will soon claim a very big throne amongst Britain’s most riotous bands.

@JJShreeve

Through One Ear and Out the Other; A Musical Shift From 2014 to 2015

Music is a constant, merely blurred by the boundaries of our calendar. 2015 will provide nothing different on the music scene as old rockers return and new names bubble to the surface, there should be something to savour for music fans this year. Here's some personal tips and moments to look forward to in 2015.

1. Return of the Maccs

On New Years eve Orlando Weeks and co gave us news of a new album and plenty more live shows hitting us in 2015. What the details are exactly we don't know yet but if it's anything like their last album, 'Given To The Wild', then their next instalment could be the record of the year.

2. The Rock 'n' Roll Revival Hits Wembley

In June Foo Fighters will take to Wembley Stadium to play some of their biggest shows to date but what's even more tasty is their support. It comes in the shape of hard-hitting duo Royal Blood who could soon rival Dave Grohl for a headline slot. 2014 was the definitive year for the pair but 2015 ought to firmly establish them as saviours of thick riffs and drums, a lot of drums.

3. Peace is the word

B-Town quartet Peace will bring some more shimmery vibes to your ear waves early on into the year with their second album, 'Happy People', dropping in February. Having spoken to the man behind the mic it seems that it won't end there though as a sea of tour dates and plans for a third album are very much in motion.

4. A Band Called Palace

With the return of the Maccabees already being noted, a band who will be hot on their heels this year is London outfit, 'Palace'. Their alternative tinting of archaic blues brought them a support slot on Jamie T's tour and 2015 will undoubtedly see them rise from their debut EP platform.

5. King Raury

If Outkast's comeback was too 2002 for you then welcome to Raury. The teenager from Atlanta is making rifts across seas and has impressed the likes of BBC to feature him on their Sounds of 2015 list. Over the past year he's released some interesting projects touching upon Andre 3000 and Childish Gambino influences which will carry him confidently through 2015.

6. Male music

Raury's not the only young man who you'll be hearing in 2015. Bipolar Sunshine will be delivering upbeat pop rhythms whereas the more gentle whirrs of Brits critics choice, James Bay, will be prominent and for the more rugged edge, Only Real will be bringing the skatty upbeat guitar playing back. Expect these three to be very much in and around some of the best things you hear this year.

7. Festivals

Hardly a surprise this but yes the dawn of 2015 means we move even closer to festival season. Despite the slightly under-par line up, Glastonbury was a stonker last year so if Eavis manages to book the bigger acts this year, it could be one of the best yet. Elsewhere Reading and Leeds have brought in Metallica, making their Glastonbury performance last year look not so special after all. Smaller festivals to look out for include Bestival - the biggest party of the year, and metropolitan festivals, Live At Leeds and Tramlines.

8. The Brits Bullshit

It appears the only good thing going for the Brits this year is that James Corden has been put out of his misery, his script tossed to one side as Ant and Dec take over the presenting duties. Don't expect any tongue in cheek public speech by Alex Turner this year though. Instead sit back and enjoy a festoon of faces who you'll have been tired of seeing since last February - Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift will all give 'big performances' on the show - all for the viewing figures eh.

By Josh Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

Sounds of 2015 - #7 - Palace

As little as six months ago you could've gone past the rather inconspicuous term, 'Palace', without batting an eye-lid. After a support slot of Jamie T's comeback summer tour and a stellar debut EP, our sights are firmly glued on them from now on.

2014 was has been by no means a big year for the London quartet but instead the building of a foundation of what ought to be a fast-paced year ahead of them in 2015. As mentioned, Jamie T himself gave them the nod to accompany him on his comeback shows and has given them further support by inviting them on his European tour next year, so there's more exposure to come. They've earned the praises of the likes of Huw Stephens and their début EP, 'Lost In The Night', was given a commendable 8/10 by us this year.

Their blend of sleazy guitars and bluesy vocals are brimming with archaic nature, which somehow fits so perfectly into today's music scene. 'Bitter', is one of the most beautifully crafted songs of the year but peel back the layers and you'll reveal 'Veines'; an old crooners crackling rendition of modern day romance. There's nothing really like them at the moment but they're in no rush to go full throttle just yet, as they've told us. Next year should be the steady making of Palace and their tranquil music both on record and live.

By Josh Shreeve

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Palace announce biggest show to date at Red Gallery, Shoreditch

Palace were hand-picked by Jamie T to support him at his London comeback show in August before releasing their debut Lost In The Night EP late October via tastemaker label Beatnik Creative.

They are now set to headline the 400-capacity Red Gallery in Shoreditch on the 9th of April 2015 – tickets are now on sale here. The announcement follows the news they will support Jamie T again, this time in Paris on Thursday, and being confirmed for Eurosonic Festival this coming January in the Netherlands.

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Gig Review and Interview with... Palace @ The Rocking Chair, Sheffield, 23/10/14

Palace are a fairly unknown entity. At least that's what the basement of Sheffield's, 'The Rocking Chair' would suggest. Barely filled with 50 people and a turquoise complexion of shimmering lights, it's where the London quartet kicked off their UK tour.

The intriguing quartet who only really came into their first tints of the limelight through the support of Jamie T, make no grand opening to the stage and instead opt for an ambient opening entitled, 'Dragonfly'. Think Maccabees 'Given To The Wild' on a minute scale, and you can just about imagine frontman Leo as Orlando Weeks' doppelganger.

With that, they ease gently into tracks from recently released EP, 'Lost In The Night'. Leo gradually finds his feet in the quavering vocals of 'I Want What You Got' which gently pitter patters into 'Ocean Deep', a smooth and sexy track suitable for an indie-smattered crooner. Meanwhile, 'Bitter' is ironically the sweetest thing Palace have produced, doused in woozy-indie vibes and blues tinged anthems at it's roots.

For those who have come along for an exceptionally good priced evening of music have not been disappointed. Those who have already been lured in by the beauty and mystery of Palace though, are rewarded with a bundle of new songs. 'Black Heath' is high and wirey, much like some of the wild-Western twangs touched on in the EP. Quite differently, 'Tomahawk' unleashes an effortlessly funky jam, sandwiched either side of Foals and The Maccabees respectively. On the other hand, the range of vocal pitch throughout 'Shark' points towards early Kings Of Leon.

The dreamy, saloon bar fading reverberations come back with the band's cover of Chris Isaak's 'Wicked Game' that allows the trembles of the bass to shine through, before they finish on another well known gem in their crown, 'Veins'. It's a fitting end to the start of something special. Not only have they produced a five-track EP of wonder, but they're already armed with more material and their live show is one that can only radically grow in the coming months.

Making their mark on the walls of 'The Rocking Chair', as well as Jamie T and the rest of the music industry, Leo points and laughs at their chalk graffiti, suggesting that band members 'Matt' and 'Wills' looks like Busted heartthrob 'Matt Wills' has joined them. Aside from the topic of early 2000 pop bands, I caught up with three-quarters of the band afterwards to speak about their love for Jamie T, Foals and why they're not in any rush to make an album...

How did that go for you guys?

Leo (vocals/guitar): It was really fun. I think freedom of being outside of London was like -

Matt (drums): - Am I allowed to speak?

L: Yes! Haha, I think it's fun playing to a new crowd and a new place and it suddenly feels like we have this whole new element of freedom.

M: I thought it was wicked, I really loved it. Totally, totally different vibe to playing in London, it was just more fun and we were relaxed.

How was it different playing in St. Pancras Old Church in London the other day for your EP launch?

L: Well we were in a church so the front six rows were seats and everyone was kind of sitting down like Sunday mass...

M: It was an absolutely amazing venue, very atmospheric and everyone was kind of quiet and respectful. The sound was very echoey and it was very different so it was probably the complete opposite to what we just did. Which is why this was really awesome.

L: Yeah it's awesome to just cut through the beauty and elegance of a church and to suddenly be like, 'fuck it, let's play in a basement!', but we want to be able to play the gritty side of it, that's what we wanna do.

The EP's just come out. It's had a great response! How was it to make it?

L: Yeah it's been great, we recorded it pretty much all ourselves, in a-

Not in a church?

L: No, in a cave!... but no, our friend started up a studio in Tottenham, and we recorded it all up there.

M: It was pretty relaxed actually.

Many people will have first heard of you through supporting Jamie T in the summer, was that pretty surreal for you?

L: It was crazy.

M: We were a bit scared because he’s the polar opposite to us in terms of sound but his new record is unbelievable and a lot closer to our sound so I guess that’s kind of why it happened. We were really scared ‘cos we were huge fans of his first album and knew it was quite rowdy and all the fans were outside and quite pumped and topless like ‘arghhh!’ and we were just there like ‘shit, we’re gonna get killed...’ but actually it went really well.

L: Before we got on stage they were heckling us a little bit, like ‘come on, what you got you pricks!’ but then we started playing and people got into it.

Perhaps not Jamie T then, but were there any major influences when making the EP?

L: There’s little splices from different places.

M: I think weirdly, it just sort of happened. No one was really thinking about it, it just comes out. We all have similar influences but they’re quite separate, ranging from old folky stuff to 70s prog stuff, to new Foals and Wu Lyf sounds.

L: But there was never like, let’s make this sound a bit like ‘this guy’. 

M: We never really spoke about our influences, it’s more just a subconscious thing.

I picked up a few Foals and Maccabees vibes, have you ever got that?

L: Actually yeah we did hear that, and it’s fucking cool.

M: We love Maccabees, we love Foals! They’re one of the best live bands. I’ve only ever seen them in foreign festivals when it’s like really hot and it’s kind of made for that environment. 

L: They’re so fucking good live. I’d say that was the beginning. I personally wanted to, in some small way, emulate what they do, in terms of the very detailed sparse guitar playing.

Let’s go back to the beginning then, how did Palace all start?

M: I was actually talking to Will, the bassist, about it today. We’re almost exactly two years old when Leo and I first said, ‘let’s have a jam’ and then Rupe and Will came along. We’d been talking about starting a band for years.

Rupert (guitar): I came in on the bass.

L: Oh yeah, Rupe came in on the bass! We were a three-piece for a while - 

R: Which sounded pretty shit.

L: Yeah it sounded pretty bad, so we put Rue on guitar.

M: We spent a lot of time jamming in crappy studios in Camden, just sweating it out in these tiny little boxes and then slowly things just kind of clicked. Then the EP came out this summer and it’s kind of gone a bit mad. When we first started we were only rehearsing sort of once every two months. It was only recently we were like ‘shit...’

As soon as Jamie T contacted you perhaps?

L: Yeah Jamie T was like, ‘fucking hell, rehearse a little bit more!’.

You played a few new tunes tonight, what’s the plan going forward?

R: Yeah, get the tour down, and then hopefully get a second EP.

M: There’s a lot of talk about what the good thing to do is, a lot of talk about ‘the death of the album’, but aside from all of that I think the EP has really worked for us.

R: It suits our kind of music.

M: Yeah, we’re not in any hurry, we hope we’ll be around for a long time so we’re gonna do another EP at some time and just take our time.

As for the rest of the tour is there any particular venue coming up that you’re most looking forward to?

L: Not really, I don’t think...

R: I think it’s just great to be on the road to be honest.

L: And just going to places that some of us have never been, it’s just fun. The whole thing is just kind of what you dream of doing when you’re young, just going on the road with a band.

R: But Sheffield is obviously our favourite...

Keen to please each city and each crowd, you can catch Palace at the following venues on the remainder of their tour:

Oct 31 - Southampton, The Cellar

Nov 1 - London, The Laundry

Nov 4 - Bristol, Start The Bus

By Josh Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

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EP Review... Palace - 'Lost In The Night'

Palace's debut EP 'Lost In The Night' is a gleaming gem in the crown of an indie music scene currently obsessed with making replica's of guitar bands been and gone, or drenching themselves in psychedelic groove.

Whilst the London ensemble do have bundles of groove to them, it's refreshingly unexpected. The throwback to blues and soft rock is a gentle and pleasant surprise to energetic indie-ears. 'Bitter' is the lead track, and arguably up there with some of the greatest sounds of the year. The raw hear-felt vocals are hard to go a miss, as is the climactic, jumbled instrumental ending.

The rest of the EP is fairly tender, with 'I Want What You Got' and 'Ocean Deep' still exploiting those quickly identifiable vocals. Essentially, the true beauty of Palace is never quite reached until you meet 'Veins'. It's a lullaby track you'd expect to find from the depths of a dusty antique store, still crackling on a record player as it did all those years before. Final number, 'Lost In The Night' rounds of a promising debut, with it's outro of percussion and fret-bending woes.

An EP as honest as ever, there's more than a gap on the record store shelf for Palace. That's so long as they don't get sucked into mainstream obscurity and keep their archaic, alternative blues-driven melodies refreshing and cool.

Palace - 'Into The Night'
Out of 10: 8/10

By Joshua Shreeve

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Palace release video for 'Bitter'

London based quartet Palace have released the video for their track 'Bitter' which will feature on their debut EP 'Lost In The Night', due for release on 20th October.

The video, shot in the brisk and bitter landscape of Northern England is as beautiful and tender as the music the band themselves are producing. Having supported Jamie T recently and now about to release their EP and do a round of their own gigs, they're destined for big things.

By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

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Introducing... Palace

They haven't even released their first EP yet but Palace are already turning heads in their direction with sleazy blues riffs and raw vocals at the hems of their music.

A fairly unknown outfit, it feels London based Palace are still trying to find their feet in a beautifully simplistic, like learning to swim kind of method. What they're developing is something extraordinary. Debut track, 'Veins' is a slow bluesy lullaby, well suited for any light-hearted romance that could've been kindled from the 1950s. Similarly, 'Bitter', sways with an archaic essence with close attention to detail. The heart-wrenching vocals and pitter-patter rhythm of the delicate guitar give it an alternative blues spin, and culminates to be the most refreshing song to come out of 2014.

With just these two songs to their name, Jamie T personally asked them to support him on his run of summer comeback shows; their biggest milestone to date. The next; their first EP. Expect to hear both tracks mentioned above on debut EP, 'Lost in the Night' out 20th October 2014.

You can pre-order the 'Lost in the Night' EP from iTunes.

By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)

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Album Review... Chapel Club - Palace

One band who I have been into since the birth is Chapel Club, having seen them in a tiny venue in Cambridge to this album has been one heck of a journey!

Depths:
An intro track, it doesn't interlude into the next track so therefore I don't give it a rating
Out of 10: N/A

Surfacing:
This was supposed to be their second 7" release on East City Records but due to a copyright issue it was decided not to be released. Since hearing the demo of this over a year ago, I have loved it. Partly because of the the guitar play in the song. Lewis and his vocals soar above the music and deliver such an enthusiastic vocal performance. The new produced version basically polishes the song off in a way that can only be good. I love this song!
Out of 10: 8/10

Five Trees:
This was the first track to be recorded with Mr Paul Epworth. I don't mind it but in the chorus is does have a whine, some sort of guitar effect, but it is a tad annoying. The overall song is upbeat despite it's somewhat gloomy sound. Fast drums, crunching bass and (as ever) the vocals crisp and to the point. This is a good song to listen to live and brilliant to sing along to.
Out of 10: 8/10

After The Flood:
Once again, have been sent a older version of this track by an anonymous person, this was not a track I highly liked on record. Live, similar story there, a ear pleasing track live and enthusiastic playing but lacked confidence. This new produced version however has got to be their best track to date, sorry to all of those 'All The Eastern Girls' lovers but it is! When the track drops at the one minute mark and then Lewis's vocals kick in almost shouting you have got to admire this track as it gives you a scene of pleasure!
Out of 10: 10/10



White Night Position:
Again that whine of a guitar but this time starting it off, thankfully it stops and gives way to a furious drum beat, vocals and another round of quick bass playing. This is the shortest song on the album (except from the Intro), and it doesn't seem like it. The fast play in the song gives you an illusion that you have been listening to it for a long time. But in reality 3mins8seconds is really a short time. You know what they say, time flies when you are having fun, and for the band is seems like it!
Out of 10: 8/10

The Shore:
This track was given as a free download in July. I know, I know, I too am seriously close to grabbing the next Ian Curtis impersonator that comes moping and droning out of the major labels'. Chapel Club, breathing new life into the current wave of Indie-Rock thanks to the fact that Lewis Bowman can actually, like, sing. It's almost as if we've endured that third Editors album in order to get to this. It is a long track but doesn't miss a beat!
Out of 10: 9/10

Blind:
A brilliant introduction to Chapel Club this must be! If you hear this track first you would stick around forever. This track captures everything they are about. Certainly being the centrepiece of the album, diamond in the rough if you will. The guitars are in this track are highly admired by me as it resembles a certain band on hiatus... anyway.
Out of 10: 9/10

Fine Light:
I was one of the 100 or so people to hear this track, I know this for a fact because they played it for the first time at the Cambridge date of their May tour in 2009. My memory isn't that good but still. This track has a synth/sample pad involved with it when played live and the swooning echoing vocals capture the singers vocals perfectly. A gentle maybe a slower track than the others but don't rubbish it at all.
Out of 10: 7/10

O Maybe I:
Nothing has changed from the original version and that I am is a sure thing. The first song I ever heard by them, and thinking back on it I don't know how I got into them. Its a slow dark song. But then again this is one of the tracks people know of. The second half of the song is amazing though, when the guitar riff comes in and Lewis starts to sing louder and louder it gains momentum until an orgasm back into the chorus. Then again, this is why I liked it looking back on it. Lovely stuff
Out of 10: 9/10

All The Eastern Girls:
Swooping heart filled guitars , emotional and passionate. I was really, instantly, pretty much hyped for the album after I heard this, especially its killer chorus. seriously, check it. It slows down, then whacks you back with the chorus that I adore so much!An early favourite on live excursions since the band’s inception, ‘All The Eastern Girls’ creeps up all brooding and heartfelt, exploding into life under the lyrics of singer Lewis Bowman.
Out of 10: 10/10

Paper Thin:
Having only heard of this song through a acoustic recording and a rough live bootleg, they surely didn't do it any justice. The last track on the album and it really does give you a fond farewell to their brilliant début. It really does seem like a song to listen to over a romantic film, just the vocals and gentle instruments are just so brilliant, that it isn't fair!
Out of 10: 7/10

Chapel Club - Palace
Out of 10: 8.5/10

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Chapel Club - O Maybe I (Old Version)