Palace Fires - 'Nothing Comes Close' (Bespoke) Released 14/08/06

In an irksome musical era where displaying even a smattering of depth is enough to get you lambasted as "bedwetters," Palace Fires' brave, yet humble foray into tunesmithery of the more traditional variety is – in their case – something to be applauded. 'Nothing Comes Close' is unapologetically sentimental, with a lingering melody that helps tilt the balance back in favour of crafted soul-rock rather than throwaway, posy pop-punk.

 

Underlaid with piped-synth throughout, a surprisingly slick, wintery, folk-rock anthem eventually unfurls, swaying along so seamlessly that it seems almost like being given a three-minute glimpse into someone’s own private world. Textured with his slight Northern tang, cherubic singer, Ed Bannard, smoulders out a chocolatey melody, while the other band members (Gene's Matt James and Steve Mason, along with bassist Mike Buchanan) simmer “oooohh-aaaahhh”’s at opportune moments, leaving a moody undertone to this bustling, infectious victory of a first release. It’s a rich, authentic tune that haunts long after drifting into the endearingly DIY b-side 'Peace Be With You,' a delicate acoustic track which brims with layered, rolling guitar reminiscent of Nick Drake and Turin Brakes.