The 1986 Listening Post - Pallas - The Wedge

Pallas - The Wedge

#43/1210

February 10 1986

Pallas

The Wedge

Genre: Prog Rock

3.25 out of 5

It should come as no surprise that this album, with it’s eyes and aim so transfixed on commercial success (within the parameters that prog-rock can sustain) gets a higher rating than their previous one. I am only human. I am occasionally susceptible to that sort of crass commercialism. 

Trouble is, this time I’m not sure what Pallas wants to convey and they aren’t up to the skill level of Marillion or Rush or even Genesis circa 86 and those guys own this lane. 

So this is just flat. And some of it is just insipid and bereft of ideas (“Imagination”).

https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-wedge/1045692164

The 1984 Listening Post - Pallas - The Sentinal

Pallas - The Sentinal

#170

1984 Housekeeping

Pallas

The Sentinal

2.5 out of 5

Highlights:

Atlantis

One theme that seems to be weaving its way through some of the 80s (Al Stewart, Glenn Frey, Camel) is the Cold War. I think we all forget just how terrifying it was and how many of us were sure that Ronnie was taking us to the brink. 

Pallas was deeply affected, apparently, as they dedicated their entire first album to the subject. It’s all perfectly and appropriately epic and at the same time, uninspiring and sort of dull. I actually prefer Marillion. Which is a shame because I get the feeling that these guys could be really great. But every “EPIC!!” sounds the same and I keep losing the plot. 

This album is long. I mean, it’s about an hour but I had to break it up to get through it. I wanted to love it but, in the end I can’t recommend it. 

The playlist is slightly altered, Atlantis should be the last song to conform with the initial release. Good luck. 

 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBJ7ztNazTVCxvyODgaQLmJLtQTLgOoM7