POST PRESERVATION
A balanced collection of darkness and light
"One distinct factor throughout 80s music was a flair for the melodramatic. You could always find that within the music and then eventually in the music video. There could have been a horse walking across a room for no apparent reason as well. It’s no secret that Palm Ghosts are firmly footed in within that culture and with previously released material, the band has shined brightly to make its forebearers proud. The group has no qualms about it, the members do what they do best. While the band’s previous Lost Frequency blasted through with an unrelenting poignancy, the group’s new Post Preservation seems a little, different. But we’ll get to that in a bit.
What one may find interesting about Lost Frequency is how the pop sensibilities are prevalent but there seems to have been an underlying darkness that’s permeating below. For lack of a better word or phrase, yeah, there was some doom and gloom lurking around it. The band out of Nashville just released Post Preservation, which strikes a bit differently. What does that mean? Well, this time around it looks as if the group sees the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. If they’re ok with it, we should all be. But that doesn’t mean the group has relinquished its cynicism; as the band moves through “No Joy,” it’s completely relatable. Propelled by Vince Clarke-like electronics, as vocalist Joseph Lekkas doesn’t allude with subliminal metaphors, instead speaking his mind when he sings, “I get no joy from people these days.” The audacity! Although many, I’m sure, can say the same. Aside from the pleasantries here, one might notice that Palm Ghosts has upped its game a bit with rhythms that are a bit more distinct and punch. The opening “Signal” is literally a banger of a track, with scraping, distorted guitars riding a keyboard wash way below the surface. Or you might want to take in “Fractured,” which quickly builds around its rhythm section with stunning guitar work, never overpowering the song itself. If this one doesn’t convince you, then nothing will.
The band alludes to Ian McCulloch-like harmonies on “Prefix Patriots” and while I’ll make no attempt to interpret the song’s lyrics, one may just want to decipher it for themselves. The bounce and infectiousness throughout it though are well worth the attempts over and over again though. Then there’s the sprawling “Cross Your Heart,” with its Simon Gallup-esque bottom end, with a smattering of atmospheric guitars and thumping percussion.
Feelings were mixed entering Post Preservation, as thoughts began to wander, believing, “Oh, now they’re singing about love and all? Did they lose their mojo?” But those thoughts are kicked to the wayside as the collection of tracks here has a lot to offer. Palm Ghosts still walks a road covered in nostalgia but the sunny sheen over the band’s music will make everyone a believer." - Eddie Ugarte, Ghettoblaster Magazine
Here are a selection of reviews and interviews for Post Preservation:
Analogue Trash: review of “Silent Fall”
The Book of Very Very Bad Things Podcast: interview by Peter Tanski
Closed Captioned: review of “Silent Fall”