Tahiti Boy and the Palmtree Family
Good Children Go To Heaven
Just figuring them out can take a few good minutes. Tahiti Boy and the Plamtree Family’s seven piece rock group came to life more than a few miles from white sand beach and Kool-Aid blue surf. The Parisian band at its core provides a center foundation for what is a swirling nebulous of musical creativity with deep roots in France. The members are all involved in other bands and the album, Good Children Go To Heaven features guest appearances from the girlfriend of lead singer “Tahiti Boy” and Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio. Seven members, guests, side projects, fictional names and one remix the Palmtree Family just might yours look normal.
Despite arising from a French scene that has been synonymous with house and electro in recent years, Tahiti Boy and the Palmtree Family employ the organ, flute, cello and banjo as well as the more traditional rock staples to create a sound as distant from the thumping bass and Ed Banger set as France is from the band’s island namesake.
The opening single “1973” features Adebimpe and showcases perfectly the diverse musical range that the group is capable of. The flute intro comes straight from a night at the concert hall with the local symphony before it gives way to frantic guitar riff and fast paced lyrics. The pace slows considerably as the song transitions into a sing-songy melody that captures perfectly the island influence with its Beach Boy reminiscent sound. Despite the distinct parts of the song it is never fractured or jumbled. The patchwork quilt style flows together effortlessly.
Effortless is perhaps the best word to describe Good Children Go To Heaven. Although factually untrue, there is certainly quite a bit of effort that goes into creating any full-length album, the entire work carries a light-hearted air fun lacking the pretentiousness and entitlement that seems to come free of charge with current indie music.
The track “Andy’s Suite” even takes a swing at the corporate side of the music with the bands take on the modern day unrequited lover. Andy waits by the radio every night to hear the song that makes him cry. Unsuccessful in calling in his request he walks to the radio station where the DJ tells him that he also likes the song, “but what I play poor boy is up to the industry.”
The lyrics and musicianship make it apparent that although this is the band’s first release together their individual experiences make them veterans with this release fitting of a perfectly dysfunctional family.
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