White Fence – Family Perfume Vol. 1 and 2

It’s A Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival

Could you imagine a band apologizing for putting out too much music in a short time? Well, Tim Presley did. The founder of White Fence felt like he was dumping out too many songs after releasing -in less than two months- Family Perfume Vols. 1 & 2, and the split Hair with Ty Segall. Plus, Presley is actively involved with music projects including Darker My Love (he’s the co-founder), Fall (he toured with them), and Strange Boys leading the rock’n’roll revival.

The two volumes of Family Perfume came out a few weeks apart, as to let listeners process and digest the 12 and 15 tracks of each album. While Vol. 1 seems to be grittier and careless, Vol. 2 is more reflexive and somehow unperturbed. As if Tim had impulsively let out all of the uptight rock’n’roll he had inside (“Down PNX”), and now was just taking a breath (“It’s Confusing When You Wake Up”).

“Groundskeeper Rag (Man’s Man)” and “Hey Roman Nose” from Vol. 2, and “Balance Your Heart”  from Vol. 1 are among the most interesting tracks of this lo-fi 60s project. Lo-fi mixed with modern experimentation, blended so well in the studio that you won’t even notice what’s new; it’s like turning on an “old fashioned” rock and roll radio channel in the 60s. And if Family Perfume Vol. 2 only represents a short breathing space in White Fence’s work, we can only prepare for the best of Tim Presley’s rock’n’roll revival.