Imagine you’re walking home late on a cold night. You pass the neighborhood bar and decide to duck in for one last drink. There are three friends leaning on the piano in the corner, playing a few songs as the bar empties. Their mood alternates between raucous and consoling each other over the past.

You’ll have a good feel for the tone of Pale Young Gentlemen’s self titled release.

The songs range from celebratory (“Saturday Night”) to more delicate (“As A War”). Some tracks (“Clap Your Hands”) have a taste of Eastern Europe (ala Beirut)

The music is warm, familiar, friendly, collegial. A brash, bouncy piano line and dramatic, reaching vocals are the highlights. They are paired with drums, guitar, bass guitar, and cello. The cello adds a layer of warmth, intimacy. The tunes are simple enough to be infectious but unusual enough to keep your attention.

Ultimately, the band is a powerful, and welcome, new entry to the Madison music scene.

Pale Young Gentlemen release their first album, self-titled, at their CD release party March 23, 2007 at Café Montmartre

Myspace: Pale Young Gentlemen

(travis)