The return of Brisbane's The Valery Trails with their fifth album is most welcome. They still sound a little like mid period The Church and The Black Watch, but the addition of Tim Steward and Skye Staniford has also taken the band into new areas.
Winter Palace may finally turn the admiration in Australia to a much deserved wider worldwide audience, particularly the States. Despite, essentially being an Indie Rock band, their trips into Psych Pop are as wonderful as ever.
Take for instance Vultures Of Lima which is wonderful Psych Pop, but enhanced by the Flute of Staniford. Our Love is 60s UK Beat, but again transformed by the Brass of Terminus Horns. You quickly realise that this a band not afraid to take chances and switch directions.
Leonard Said is much darker, all 80s Synth, that shouldn't necessarily work for a band that is so Electric Guitar driven and Staniford aids this again with ethereal backing vocals. This Is Not My Home is more Indie Rock with some stunning Guitar, riff and solo. The song shines even more due to what surrounds it.
People Who Are Gone is great Power Pop and Journey's End is a fine struming closer. Yet, the band are still in touch with their past as proven by the moody, brooding opener, Another Time. But the real stand out is pure Guitar Pop.
Everything Is Temporary is a superb catchy affair, all riff and melody, a song that would grace any album. Winter Palace is the sound of a band at the top of their game, willing to take their sound further. C'mon everybody, join the admiration!
You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl and as a download.
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