To The Victor

With the year-end awards fast approaching, it’s reasonable to wait for the ceremony, but no band could possibly beat The Pale Pacific on this one. Urgency, the second release of the Bellingham, WA foursome, may seem nostalgic of the first, consisting only of rerun tracks which might remind people of the other Bellingham, WA foursome, The Pale. Oh wait, they’re the same band. Regardless of the residuary name change, The Pale Pacific secures gold for the longest, most insubstantial song of the year.That’s right, folks; they’ve done it! “Fall to Place” is the longest, most inconsequential song of the year. Occupying a total duration of over eight minutes, the first forty seconds is four strikes on the same note and the last minute is solid recorded static. The same repetitive keystroke can also be found on “Sucker Punch” with a fuller sound and more complex rhythm.

The Urgency sound is a cross between the likes of Guster (minus the fancy bongos) and one of the selfsame bands heard on Gardenstate. The predominately jumpy, synchronized score features keyboards and a plugged band battling the mix with adolescent lyrics. “When we were young / We were bright and shining in the sun” is sung with an airy lisp against a calm and cool beat. The most endearing of the tracks, “Back to You” is set to “Heart and Soul.” It’s original yet recognizable, and although repetitive, isn’t that the fun of it?

The Pale Pacific provides a conventional sound relying more on comfort than innovation. Add on simple lyrics and it’s tough to ignore the “been there, done that” mentality. Nevertheless, they’re winners.