Spain’s PALMAR DE TROYA returns with its third EP, the aptly titled III, and I’ll just bet you’re wondering what their first two EPs were called too, huh? Anyhow, let’s get to it, bruddas and sistas.
‘The Method’ revs its engines early, no-wave and snarling, LYDIA LUNCH’s ‘80s output blended with an almost THE LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH post-punk ethic, guitars slicing ‘n’ dicing. Follows ‘She, The Destroyer’, coarse and uneven, but the band seems to be stepping out of the shadows of their influences here, certainly an outgrowth of time spent on the road in the past year or so, becoming more comfortable with each other as bandmates and the collision of styles and preferences that can make a band either a multi-vehicle pileup or something actually entertaining.
Led by a driving bass/drum rhythm, ‘Come Back’ joins abrasive, hanging noise rock guitar patterns to Exene Cervenka howls courtesy of vocalist/keyboardist Lucia. There’s a bit of JULIE CHRISTMAS in her delivery too, which adds another layer of passion. After a punk-fueled ‘Guide Dog’, ‘Shakes In Hates’ is an explosion of pure sound, the production and mix giving each instrument its own and equally important piece in music that’s built on the foundation of sonic freedom. Witness ‘Sand Eater’, abbreviated, but possibly more urgent for it, which pulls the plug to make way for the finale of ‘Waiting So Long’.
Not tossing out full-length LPs laden with filler, wisely taking its time to find out what lies beneath the scratched surface of PALMAR DE TROYA, III is the soundtrack to a journey of a band discovering itself and inviting us along for the wild ride.
Review By: Lord Randall
PALMAR DE TROYA
III [EP]
Reptilian Records