Pale Blue Eyes - This House

by Dixie Ernill

published: 19 / 1 / 2024

Label: Full Time Hobby
Format: CD

intro

Surprisingly upbeat synth pop on second album from Devon trio Pale Blue Eyes, which was recorded against a backdrop of personal tragedy

You don’t readily associate Devon with bands. When discussing key musical hotbeds of the UK the likes of Glasgow, Manchester or Liverpool would just roll of the tongue. Probably Bristol would be the nearest place with any kind of musical heritage, but despite geography not being on their side, relative newcomers Pale Blue Eyes have thrived within the confines of a county more easily acknowledged for holiday destinations and cream teas. They first came on my radar late last year, when Pete Fij (former singer in Adorable and Polak) included one of their tracks on a list of his favourites for 2022 and I have maintained a watching brief ever since. A delve into the back story outlines that both ‘This House’ and the debut ‘Souvenirs’ were written and recorded against a backdrop of personal tragedy within the band and it makes some sense to the feel of both albums. That said, ‘This House’ is not a sombre album, indeed it has a positive nod towards the dancefloor mainly due to the liberal use of synths throughout by Lucy Board and the often angelic vocal style of vocalist, and her husband, Matt Board. The overall sound is sort of futuristic and the kind of music that the wonderful Sarah Records label would cherish if they hadn’t called it a day nearly 30 years ago. I know it’s a contradiction, but there is also an element of both new wave, enhanced by Aubrey Simpson’s bass work and Matt’s jagged guitar lines, and early 80’s synth pop bubbling away in the mix too. The bottom line is it’s bloody ace, even if my second-rate descriptive writing doesn’t do it justice. The album opens with “More” that includes the line “you give me more and more” and that’s basically what you get with repeated listens. Nothing much to add, just buy this album and dance round the kitchen.

Track Listing:-

1 More
2 Simmering
3 Hang Out
4 Spaces
5 Heating's On
6 Our History
7 Million Times Over
8 Illuminated
9 Sister
10 Takes Me Over
11 Underwater

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/paleblueeyesmusic/
https://twitter.com/pbemusic?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7C

Label Links:-

https://www.youtube.com/user/FullTimeHobbyRecords
http://www.fulltimehobby.co.uk/main/
https://www.facebook.com/FullTimeHobby
https://twitter.com/fulltimehobby
https://plus.google.com/101265945502860799533