Owen Pallett - In Conflict

Owen Pallett
In Conflict
27 May 2014
Domino/Secret City

4 stars out of 5

 

In Conflict is Owen Pallett’s second LP under his own name, after two solo LPs under the Final Fantasy brand. Pallett’s sparse and clean arrangements might seem sterile and cautious (Pallett asks himself “Why can’t I lose control?” on “The Sky Behind the Flag”), but noisy rock ‘n’ roll has never been his goal: this is pure symphonic pop, part early Scott Walker, part Julia Holter.

Highlights include the opener, “I Am Not Afraid,” and “The Riverbed,” both built around Pallett’s simple but powerful violin arrangements, here played by the Czech FILMharmonic Orchestra. “The Passions” explores failed sex through a melancholic lens. “Soldier’s Rock” juxtaposes sunny instrumentation and melody with the lyric “pick up the bayonet and run it through the stomach of your brother.” And, yes, that is Brian Eno singing on “Infernal Fantasy.” The dude’s everywhere these days.

In Conflict is a successful blend of Pallett’s looping pedal aesthetic and an orchestra of classically trained musicians. His performance, while restrained almost to the point of repression, is served well by the arrangements, given embellishments that enhance it rather than drown it. This is a solid and rewarding record, even if it feels more like a museum piece rather than a living, breathing LP.

reviewed by Richard Krueger