The Lambeth four piece are about to embark on their own European/UK tours and supporting The Vaccines this autumn. Back in May they released their eagerly anticipated second album 'Danger In The Club' so, now seems the perfect time to sink our teeth into it.
At its core, 'Danger In The Club' is every bit the joyous throbbing racket its predecessor '180' was. However, emerging from every pore is a plumage bearing their influences for all to behold and more importantly, too enjoy.
Title track 'Danger In The Club' opens with a Dick Dale surf rock swagger and Doors-esque keys lurking in the background. At the midway point comes backing vocals seemingly sampled from The Clash's debut album and harmonicas akin to Oasis' 'Swamp Song' which are tied neatly together from a short trademark solo.
To describe, it would appear there are too many things going on here but every section of this song is so distinct you could argue this is a miniscule rock opera. Genius!
This song is indicative of the whole album. It has an overarching sense of fun and doesn't take itself too seriously which, for those illustrious ‘hard working people’ of the UK we hear about so often is going to unite far people than it will divide.
'Peter and The Gun' is the best example of this. A tale about the bands keyboardist on a killing spree and being found in Manhattan is delivered with comical panache and piss taking so wry, that the new series of Blackadder is considering it as its theme tune (this isn’t true, but wouldn’t it be great?)
'Coming Over To My Place' sees the band in their most reflective mood to date. The song keeps threatening to build to their prototypic frenzy but what you get is pub rock spliced with jovial nature of the Kinks and the spirit of Joy Division. The repetition of 'I would rather die / than be love' repeated over and over shouldn't be this rousing but somehow it is.
No album from any self-respecting group of 20 and 21 year olds would be complete without at least banger now would it? Nope. Album closer 'English Tongue' was added to the album last minute which is strange as it is the perfect bridge from the first to the second album. The Billy Bragg-esque guitar playing is coupled with British Sea Power electric piano to provide the perfect back drop to this anthem. Although the Libertines maybe back among us, for all of us who spent years broken by their absence, this song makes up for it all. It’s as though they know their people out there who thought the last Arctic Monkeys album was boring and wanted some energy back in their lives.
This album may not be a leap forward musically but there are big strides for sure. Moreover, they strides which will not alienate a fiercely loyal fan base. For Palma Violets and their army of followers, their journey has just begun and it is one that’s set to electrify.
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