by Kris Handel
In 2015 El Kempner, under the moniker Palehound, sprung onto the music scene with their debut album Dry Food, a record full of songwriting that was well beyond the artist’s years. On their fourth full length, Eye on the Bat, Kempner and bandmates continue to delve into the complications of relationships and the personal (or lack thereof) growth with a knack of hitting as close to the heart of the matter as imaginably possible. Their music can be peacefully rolling and folksy on one track while rollicking punk-inflected blasts of harmony-laden grungy alt-rock the next. The songs bounce around the listeners brain for hours at a time. Kempner has always found a way to mix the poetic bent of her lyrics with genuine emotion, they rarely fail to make you feel as though you are listening to a close friend bare their soul, a connection strongly tapped into on this record.
"The Clutch" is one of the rockier songs on the record, in both sound and emotion, as Kempner's guitar delivers crunchy chord after chord while her voice explodes into the emphatic chorus. They explore the depths of a destructive and possibly one-sided relationship that meets it's inevitable end with Kempner landing a final declarative and emotional lyrical blow. The title track comes out sounding like a cross between Elliott Smith and early Wilco as a strong rhythm lays the groundwork for their hypnotic guitar lines. There's a bit of wistfulness in the cynical back-looking aspect in the songwriting and Palehound continue to master the art of painful insight with sugar coated melodies that keep everything afloat.
"Route 22" has a bit of hazy classic California psych-rock at it's root with guitars that waver around Kempner's mostly laconic vocals being pierced by bobbing bass and a slinky lead. Once again the combination of sour and sweet in their lyricism, the writing hits the spot and the shifting backing aids the sense of uneasiness growing throughout the track. "Head Like Soup" is a bit darker in tone then the rest of this record, alternating between stomping garage punk and the eeriness of industrial goth/post-punk squall. There's a bit of menace in everything going on here, especially as the contrast between hazy stomp and disquieting atmospherics are constantly pushing at each other before swirling together effortlessly.
As they continue to grow, Kempner and Palehound continue to strengthen their already heavy grip of pop craft, both classic and yet wholly their own, which leads to some truly stunning songs. They manage to consistently find a balance between inquisitively pursuing new avenues and keeping themself on firm ground when everything else around seems to be tenuous at best. This record shows Kempner doing a lot of searching, trying to take lessons away from each moment, whether they be positive or frustrating, finding strength to be able to deal with both. Palehound's journey over the years has been quite exhilarating to follow along with musically and with Eye on the Bat they have delivered another tight and impactful record that brings so much inspiration along with it.