Palma Violets - 180
Critic Score
Based on 27 reviews
2013 Ratings: #989 / 1115
User Score
Based on 65 ratings
2013 Rank: #447
Liked by 3 people
February 25, 2013 / Release Date
LP / Format
Rough Trade / Label
Indie Rock / Genre
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CRITIC REVIEWS

90
PopMatters

This will likely be 2013’s most necessary debut and will undoubtedly stand as one of the years best ten months down the line. 

80
NME

You’re struck by the strength of the songs, and the roguish, self-assured charm with which they’re delivered.

80
DIY

Palma Violets' deliciously raggedy rock is enveloping. If scratchy guitars and lolloping drums could give hugs, these would be the sweatiest, messiest, yet most kind-hearted type. 

70
Pitchfork

180 is an act of evangelism from giddy enthusiasts who don’t know how well-worn these sounds are because they’re new to them. 

70
Consequence of Sound

It’s a loud record, but everything’s all there. It shakes, it rattles, it rolls, and that’s sort of a nagging issue. 

60
Drowned in Sound

Palma Violets get a pass this time, their lack of focus and their naivety balanced by their charm.

60
The 405

The album doesn't reinvent anything – they never claimed it would, and it was never meant to – but it's a solid record that will keep them treading water until epiphany strikes and album number two reaches us.

60
musicOMH

It’s that inconsistency which plagues 180 and means that while Palma Violets have certainly got talent, their debut falls just short of the expectations that’s been ladled on it.

50
No Ripcord

While the better songs sound rough around the edges, their inferior material here sounds scrappy and juvenile.

45
Under the Radar

It's not the terrible record to be savaged that an army of hipsters hoped for, just a very plain one that sounds like it was made by 14-year-olds, for 14-year-olds. 

QueenOfDenmark
40

Best of Friends ~ ★★☆☆☆
Step Up for the Cool Cats ~ ★★☆☆☆
All the Garden Birds ~ ★★☆☆☆
Rattlesnake Highway ~ ★★☆☆☆
Chicken Dippers ~ ★★☆☆☆
Last of the Summer Wine ~ ★★☆☆☆
Tom the Drum ~ ★★☆☆☆
Johnny Bagga' Donuts ~ ★★☆☆☆
We Found Love ~ ★★☆☆☆
Three Stars ~ ★★☆☆☆
14 ~ ★★☆☆☆

CyXato
50

Meh

This is just overwhelmingly generic. There are some good songs here and there, but for the most part, it is just generic UK rock. The production is pretty generic, but can be good in some parts. The vocals aren't very unique, and sometimes get way too unintelligible. Overall, this is just an average generic uk rock album.

Best Tracks: Best of Friends, Rattlesnake Highway, Tom the Drum, 3 Stars, 14

Least Favorite Track: Last of the Summer Wine

Jbrown765
60

Still holds some special moments for 16 year old me, but otherwise this thing is utterly unremarkable.

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Track List

  1. Best of Friends
  2. Step Up for the Cool Cats
  3. All the Garden Birds
  4. Rattlesnake Highway
  5. Chicken Dippers
  6. Last of the Summer Wine
  7. Tom the Drum
  8. Johnny Bagga' Donuts
  9. We Found Love
  10. Three Stars
  11. 14

Year End Lists

#21/Q Magazine
#25/PopMatters
#29/The Fly
#32/NME
#65/Rough Trade
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Added on: February 27, 2013