The Parlotones are a South African rock band who've already achieved considerable fame in their homeland. Their debut single ‘Beautiful’ has featured in a Fujifilm advertisement campaign, and seems to have kick-started an interest in Radiocontrolledrobot; the album was originally released back in 2005, but is only coming to more widespread prominence now. Better late than never, but the group must prove that they have more than one smash hit in their armoury.
Predictably, ‘Beautiful’ is one of the stronger tracks on the album; an instantly-infectious slice of hulking pop-rock, with a chorus that could move mountains.
It's not the album’s best though – the title-track scoops that particular gong. The vocals are dropped pleasingly low in the mix, bringing the sharp, cyclical guitar hook to the fore. It's a quiet storm of restrained noise and clipped melody, but perhaps not as immediate in impact as ‘Beautiful’, and therefore unlikely to repeat its success.
Otherwise, the album is a tight, focused set of uncomplicated pop-rock. It’s rarely less than enjoyable, but perhaps the group are guilty of playing it a little too straight – few attempts are made to match the wild beauty of the title-track. Yes, they’re consistent – naff, string-laden ballad ‘Interlude (The Impossible)’ aside – but let’s hope there’s a lot more to come.