A Chips Review: Pale Young Gentlemen

Lead vocalist Mike Reisenauer’s muted facial expressions said it all as he sang, uninspired, to a small audience paying as much attention to their laptops as to Madison band Pale Young Gentlemen’s performance in Marty’s last Friday.

While a few attendees bobbed their heads to the dark, folk-inspired melody played against a dreamy cello, the dull atmosphere led to a less than stellar performance.

Pale Young Gentlemen began their set at 9 p.m., but the crowd was small and unenthusiastic. At 9:50 p.m., Reisenauer ambiguously addressed the audience, leaving many confused about whether the show was over or if they were taking a break. They never returned to the stage.

Pale Young Gentlemen seemed crowded on a stage that wasn’t big enough for the variety of their sound. Mixing guitars with bells, a cello and a viola, the band brought a sound not yet heard on Luther’s campus this fall. Unfortunately, not many heard it.

The concert may have been overshadowed by the anticipation of Sean Kingston’s arrival exactly a week later or was perhaps poorly publicized. Regardless, Luther students apparently found something else to do that night.

Pale Young Gentlemen played many songs from their sophomore release, “Black Forest (tra la la),” an album called, “One of the most unique albums of the year,” by PopMatters magazine.

With more than 11 members collaborating on the album, “Black Forest (tra la la)” has a rich sound with songs that take listeners through a dreamy landscape. You cannot help but sway and tap your foot as poppy guitar riffs lay over classic cello strokes.

The album opens with “Coal/Ivory,” a dynamic song with quick, sharp verses and a slow, lyrical chorus, building back up to shouting. The song sets the tone for the rest of the album’s repetitious guitar rhythms and contrasting bells and strings.

“Kettle Drum (I Left a Note)” sounds like an orchestral piece mixed with alt-country with Dean Martin-esque vocals. It takes you back to an old wartime, speaking about “banging on a kettle drum, an army’s gone, a war was won.”

A regional talent, Pale Young Gentlemen’s sound is mature for a second album. Their alt-country sound and incorporation of many instruments liken their music to that of bands like Murder by Death.

Look for their fan base to grow in the coming years, but until then, you can check them out on iTunes or on their Web site at http://www.paleyounggentlemen.com.