Review:'Pale Blue Moon' 'The Pleasure Of Finding Things Out'
- Genre: 'Rock'
Our Rating:
I so want this to be my scene. Pitched as being for fans of HIM, 69 Eyes, and The Sisters Of Mercy, Pale Blue Moon promise rock with a certain aura of intrigue. The band’s debut video ‘Supernatura’, which we shared a bit back has now had over 800,000 views on YouTube and the band have secured coverage across numerous national titles in their native Ireland, including Hot Press and The Irish Independent. Their frontman, Shane Kelly, has featured in a documentary for national Irish TV outlet RTE discussing overcoming a stroke. This is all impressive coverage, so how does the album stand up?
Lead single and opening track ‘Supernatural’ brings a threat of darkness in its opening bars, but suddenly leaps into easy-going middling 80s indie and I cant help it: I feel a certain sinking feeling that I get when I feel the disparity between The Rose of Avalanche and The Sisters of Mercy.
‘It’s Not Real’ leans toward the buoyant rock that was de rigour in the early 90s, and lands somewhere between Jesus Jones and ‘Carved in Sand’ era Mission. It’s ok, accessible, but a shade lacking in the bite it has potential for.
They certainly know how to kick out a massive anthemic chorus, as ‘Defend’ and mid-pace power-ballad ‘Don’t Wake Up’ attest, and these are solid tuned with big, hooky choruses ad even a few hints of The Alarm and U2. It’s accomplished but rather comfortable.
‘Sleep’ brings a more dreamy, folky flavour to the set, and again, I’m reminded of The mission at their commercial peak paired with the kind of goth-tinged indie crossover that was ubiquitous in the late 80s and into the early 90s. It’s solid, but just not unique.
