Genre/Influences: New-wave, rock-wave, rock-pop.

Background/Info: Palais Ideal is a ‘new’ formation set up by an experienced duo. John Edwards (guitars, vocals, synths, programming) and Richard van Kruysdijk (bass, baritone guitar, backing vocals, synths, programming) have already worked with an impressive list of ‘big’ artists such as Bauhaus, Christian Death, Coil, Clan Of Xymox, The Legendary Pink Dots, swans ao. Palais Ideal is inspired by post-punk and new-wave music.

Content: The 80s influences are rapidly coming through and are sometimes pretty explicit. But Palais Ideal is not just emulating the magic of new-wave music, but still has a more personal touch, which sounds in between rock- and pop music. Guitar and electronics are pretty complementary. The songs are sung by a great and charismatic singer, which directly reveals his deep timbre of voice on the opening cut while excelling on “Funtime”.

+ + + : Palais Ideal seduced by great guitar playing injects power and emotion. The low and resonating bass lines are in perfect harmony with the guitar and reinforcing the new-wave inspiration. I already mentioned the great vocalist of this band who’s a real essential element of this band’s sound. “No Signal” is clearly influenced by several 80s bands; now darker and then more pop-driven. One of my favorite cuts is “A Black Noise” evoking some aspects of the legendary “Alice”-song from The Sisters Of Mercy.

– – – : The album is well-crafted, but is maybe missing that ‘absolute’ hit that would bring the band into the spotlights.

Conclusion: “No Signal” is a noticeable debut for this duo. The album has this good-old vintage appeal, which will get new-wave nostalgic fans out of their sleep.

Best songs: “A Black Noise”, “Invisible Eye”, “Deity”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.palaisideal.net / www.facebook.com/Palais–Ideal-1587769398199336

Label: www.darkvinyl.de / www.facebook.com/darkvinylrecords