paloma - mom pop

Paloma 

Mom Pop
self-released; 2013

3.7 out of 5

By Eva Cantillo

Right off the bat, you can feel the heavy motivation in Mom Pop, the newest album from the band Paloma. Apparently, the album was recorded in a mother-in-law’s basement, perhaps the reasoning behind the name of the album. It is a bit of a rough organic compilation, as the band admits they used “crappy old amps” in the recording, yet the band seems to overcome their hindrances and capture the audience with compelling bridges and buildups. The opening song “Hey Dark” starts with a deep baseline and is accentuated by colorful vocals. The song “I’m Alive” is a slow burning song that explodes with excitement right before the end, intriguing you to replay the song just to relive the rush.

Paloma is definitely a rock band, but their songs are peppered with some electronic effects. There seems to be a natural dynamic between the band members. Three members make up the sounds that are heard on Mom Pop. Instruments like synthesizers and xylophones are incorporated into several songs on the album resulting in a dynamic that keeps the listener refreshed with new and interesting sounds all the while.

One of the highlights of Mom Pop is the lyrics behind the songs; “Crashing” is filled with colorful metaphors about a relationship gone sour. The hook is also very catchy. Another track that grabs the listener with its lyrics is “Get Some Rest.” It’s a smooth lullaby-ish song that is led by a different vocal tone than those heard from other songs on the album. At times though, it may seem like the vocalist is making a stretch in trying to achieve such tones. Regardless, it adds a unique character to a true slow-song from a true rock band.

So basically Mom Pop is not an album your old folks would probably jam to, the album definitely has rough jagged edges, with dark raspy vocals and deep catchy riff lines. The lyrics are compelling and there are variations in sounds and effects that keep the mind’s gears going. The chemistry behind the band members also creates a cohesive sound that successfully captures a distinct vibe for the album Mom Pop.

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