Irish foursome PALE BLUE MOON is an entity that appears to have been in development for quite some time, initially using the moniker Pale Blue Dot. But half a dozen years after their initial posts on facebook the band has settled with a new name and a stable core line-up, and in the summer of 2020 they released their debut album “The Pleasure of Finding Things Out” on Dark Eye Records, a label that is either rather obscure or an imprint of the band. Personally I’d suspect the latter.
While I see the band occasionally will have something of a goth image, and have seen them described in a goth rock context too, personally I’d say that the music on this debut album is rather far removed from such premises. Classic rock and pop/rock strikes me as the best tags to attach to the music at hand here, arguably with something of an 80’s feel to it at that.
The use of both acoustic and electric guitars in the arrangements is one of many contrasts explored and used to good effect throughout this album, and the greater majority of the songs here have something of a soft rock and/or ballad touch and feel to them with gentle instrumentation and careful arrangements being dominant, albeit with tighter or harder intermissions and undercurrents adding bite and depth to maintain nerve and tension. Layered arrangements with subtle impact notes and careful instrument touches also plays a role in accomplishing this, and with effective use of piano, organ and violins as a part of that particular package. I also note what may or may not be references to both Americana and folk music throughout, and on a few occasions the band also season some of the passages with a nervous post-rock style overlay. The careful use of subtle psychedelic rock elements on the song ‘Rise Up’ is also noted as an intelligent inclusion of a new element broadening the palette of this album ever so slightly.
What makes this album are the lead vocals however. Aside from the slightly harder edged opening trio of songs, the well controlled and distinct, inviting vocals of singer Kelly as well as some vocal harmonies splashed out here and there is what carries this production, the element that adds the additional bit of life to the songs that lifts them up from being pleasant to being good and interesting excursions. Good melody, good emotion, a bit of rasp when needed, and always in control and in harmony. A good singer able to use his voice and focus on his strong sides is always a pleasure to encounter, and that is very much the case with this band and this album.
As far as debut albums goes this is a strong and accomplished production, executed by seasoned musicians well aware of what they are doing and what they want to achieve I suspect. Melodic, careful classic rock with strong pop music sensibilities is what we are treated to here, with many songs having the qualities needed to fit straight into most of the mainstream-oriented commercial radio stations out there too. At least in my opinion. The potential audience for this band is a large one as well, as I suspect the majority of people that enjoy rock bands being described as having a pop/rock overall sound will appreciate this debut album by Irish foursome Pale Blue Moon.
My rating: 80/100
