 | Pala
'Friendly Fires'
16 May 2011
Alternative Dance • Funk
Track List
01. Hawaiian Air
02. Hurting
03. Pala
04. Blue Cassette
05. Live Those Days Tonight
06. Show Me Lights
07. True Love
08. Pull Me Back To Earth
09. Chimes
10. Running Away
11. Helpless |
01. Hawaiian Air
This song was kind of interesting because I guess it’s about someone flying to Hawaii and being nervous that the plane is going to crash down before they get there? As someone who’s been to Hawaii and felt the excitement of the arrival I can say that some of it was relatable such as the touching down and breathing new air and the pinching yourself because it feels like a dream but overall I wasn’t transported back there which is something I think is important and I just found it hard to connect to this song, which I really shouldn’t have.
Score: 5.5
02. Hurting
This song is just way too overproduced, it’s really hard to get into it from that perspective. That aside, I just found this song really uninteresting. The lyrics were actually pretty basic and predictable. Ironically, the entire thing was just hurting my ears if I’m honest. The “hurting this way” whispered/breathed in the bridge was slightly frightening. Not a fan.
Score: 2
03. Pala
The intro with the birds chirping and the ethereal sounds is really nice. The production on this one is toned down a bit and honestly I feel like less is more with this band. It’s a very relaxing listen and I think that resonates with the title. The lyrics to this song are really strong too. I actually like this one.
Score: 8
04. Blue Cassette
Wait, this song’s actually slaying me. That chorus! The production isn’t too crazy but it’s just upbeat enough for it to be a bop. The lyrics are, again, really strong in this song. There are plenty of interesting moments. The bridge is heavenly.
Score: 9
05. Live Those Days Tonight
The production is bordering on being a bit overproduced again but it’s not really too bad so I can excuse it. It’s got the elements of a bop but I just feel like something is missing here. I’m not quite sure what it is… the arrangement or something, perhaps. But I love the “I’ll live those days tonight” in the chorus, that’s got a great melody. Not the best lyrics thus far but not bad either. It kind of gets messier towards the end though.
Score: 6
06. Show Me Lights
Not a fan of the verses or chorus much, but I like the pre-chorus after the second verse. Plus the “take me back, take me back in the darkness” is great. On second listen the chorus is better. The bridge is a repeat of that pre-chorus (which I liked), so I obviously like that too. By the third chorus I’m enjoying it. It definitely got better as it went on, unlike the previous song. The verses are the only bad part, really.
Score: 7.5
07. True Love
I’m bopping at this production. Sounds like something that could be on FROOT (obviously not in its current form). The chorus is basic and kind of weak but I feel like that’s okay here. Actually, let me just call it simple. I like the lyrics in this song too. The bridge just feels unnecessary but then it leads into the best production moment on the album thus far so I can’t hate on it completely. I like it, but it’s not the strongest song on the album, yet it’s far from the weakest. Kesha’s “True Love” remains unbothered!
Score: 7
08. Pull Me Back To Earth
I really like this song. Like Pala, the chorus is very peaceful but it’s also got the chaotic production in the verses, which is just at the edge of being overproduced and I really like it. It’s as if it’s getting out of control and then in the chorus it’s “pulled back”, I’m not sure if that’s what they were going for but that’s what I feel and I really like it. The lyrics are cute. It was quite an enjoyable listen actually.
Score: 8.5
09. Chimes
The intro kind of sounds like something Hugamari would produce, not gonna lie! That’s not a bad thing though. I kind of like this song. I don’t love it but I think I like it. It’s got some predictable themes but they’re explored in an interesting way. It’s kind of an average song for me but it’s got some cute melodies and isn’t too overproduced which I’m thankful for. I think it would be better if it were slowed down a bit though.
Score: 6.5
10. Running Away
This song was kind of cute but similar to the last song, I liked it, but I didn’t love it. The lyrics are even simpler with this one and some of them didn’t really make a lot of sense. There was too much repetition for me. Overall it was just kind of an average song but the production was nice I guess and it wasn’t too overproduced.
Score: 6
11. Helpless
I love this one! It’s a really great way to close the album. It has one of the best productions on the album. The lyrics are strong and the imagery is very vivid. This is definitely one of the most accessible songs on the album for me. The lyrics aren’t too simple either. The outro is amazing! This is definitely one of the highlights of the album for me.
Score: 9
RATING • 68
HIGHLIGHTS
Helpless • Blue Cassette • Pull Me Back To Earth
I consider the two pre-choruses the same 
