The Parlotones - China
The Parlotones push their creativity, but there are a few misses caused by an uncertainty of what the band wants from their transitioning sound
The Parlotones, who may not be known to some but have a long history of 20 plus years playing together, have released their newest and long-awaited studio album. China is an album that showcases the diverse sounds the band has picked up along their many years of experience and delves into some new experimental elements we’ve never heard before by the band.
The new wave and synth-pop sounds on the first song “Antidote” is an intriguing way to open up on their tenth studio album. This, however, is then quickly changed up when we move on to “Leave a Light On”, which is a more acoustic pop/rock song. It is reminiscent of large arena bands like Coldplay, to which the South African four-piece are no strangers to, even so much as playing the opening ceremony at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This is where the band is most comfortable, but it plays it too safe, as this is what they have already built their sound around.
China has its hits when The Palotones push their creativity, but there are a few misses caused by an uncertainty of what the band wants from their transitioning sound. The album sometimes feels confused about what it wants to be. Are they sticking true to their modern rock roots? Or are they making a transition to pop/rock, by infusing electronic elements to enhance and layer their tracks – like similar bands have been doing? China has its hits when The Palotones push their creativity, but there are a few misses caused by an uncertainty of what the band wants from their transitioning sound. The album sometimes feels confused about what it wants to be. Are they sticking true to their modern rock roots? Or are they making a transition to pop/rock, by infusing electronic elements to enhance and layer their tracks – like similar bands have been doing?
“Downtown Love” is a nice mellow change up from the other songs on the album. A tender, slowed down melodic piano, accompanied by backing vocals creates a catchy ballad style song. “Twilight Years” sounds like the band's previous works and this is easily heard as it feels like the members know exactly what they want to achieve out of the song. One of the great surprises on China was when the band manages to successfully pull off their own modern rendition of The Water Boys’ “The Whole of the Moon”.
Overall, there are some great moments like “Welcome The Wonderful” and “I Feel Over Nothing”, where synthpop and new wave tones are used well to compliment the voice of Kahn Morbee. There are also the modern rock songs that The Parlotones are known for, in older works like “Twilight Years” and “For Now”, which works especially well with some added punk inspiration. For fans of the band, this album will feel familiar but fresh, others though may be puzzled as to what exactly The Parlotones are about.