Good looping is creating surprise in a technique defined by repetition, and Pallmer’s second EP, Grass Garden, is a strong example of this.
Having listened to Grass Garden, I had envisioned a string quartet, maybe joined by a dedicated singer. Pallmer, however, is a duo consisting of Emily Kennedy on cello/vocals and Mark Kleyn on viola. They are able to create lush soundscapes by looping and leveraging composition in order to transcend the limitations of the format. Grass Garden stands on its own, but experiencing the fidelity with which Pallmer brings their songs to the stage definitely adds to the whole.
The record opens with “Knuckles,” a piece that starts with a friendly indie-folk vibe that quickly turns cinematic. A pedal bass transforms the harmony for the rest of the song, adding drama that will later be broken up by whimsical viola lines and plucked strings.
The lyrics here set the tone for the remainder of the record, presented mostly in poetic short phrases. There is something visceral about the line “knuckles pressing skin.” “Knuckles” ends with an escalating crescendo that makes for one of the best moments in the record.
“Blueprint” is my favourite cut. The rich phrasing in this record does a great job of hiding the “grid” that often results from loop-based music and I believe is most effective in this track. Once again, a line stands out: “None of it might be right” sounds just about right.
The way in which verbal rhythm meets musical rhythm here reveals work that is very deliberate, very inspired, or both.
The harmony is kept sparse throughout Grass Garden, often defined by a bass note and a short arpeggio. “Blueprint” breaks these harmony sections with lush string passages, and the one that accompanies the chorus is a highlight.
“Grass Garden” is the title and final track. Pallmer fittingly goes bigger for the finale, as this is the only track in the record featuring percussion—from the stringed instruments themselves, if I hear it right. The beat has a flamenco-gypsy feel, giving the song a grounded wondering flavour that serves as a satisfying conclusion. The inclusion of a blink-and-miss-it studio outtake serves as a charming bookend to the work; a tiny window to the people behind it.
Special note should be made of the impeccable production work. The capture of these acoustic instruments and voices is warm and nuanced. This record really gives you that feeling of just being with the band in a great sounding room.
Pallmer describe themselves as classical-meets-indie. This is a fitting way to give the audience an idea of what to expect, but I honestly believe they have the capacity to break through genre conventions into a very unique voice. I really like Grass Garden.