Nashville, this is something completely different.
Sam Palladio could have played it safe and produced an album of the TV series “Nashville”-inspired country songs. Almost certainly, it would have been a massive hit with the show’s fans. Instead, Palladio pushed the envelope and released a collection of songs far away from the ones featured in the show. Palladio is a British actor with one foot over the pond and one firmly back in his homeland. New album “The Perfect Summer’s Day, Before We Lost The Light” is a mix of americana, indie, rock, and pop, with the only country tie-in being the type you may hear on commercial radio stations.
Palladio has acted in numerous roles, notably as Gunnar Scott in the hit TV series Nashville. However, you won’t find any duets with his on-screen co-star Clare Bowan, but that is about all that is missing as Palladio throws everything at this first record. The opening track, ‘Meanwhile in London, ’ is a likeable start. The chord changes up and down the guitar are beautiful as the song rises to a crescendo. The lyrical content describes a failed relationship where the tortured soul plays out scenarios in their head of what may or may not be happening miles or continents away. “Meanwhile in London / I’m listening to the rain / I’m wondering what you did last night / Can’t stop the movie / Somewhere in California / Someone else got their hands upon you.”
The single ‘Tennessee’, featuring Foo Fighter guitarist Chris Shiflett, is a rocking number with the expected guitar solo that won’t disappoint fans of the band. The album title however comes from the lyrics of one of the stand-out tracks, ‘Something On My Mind’. The song is a tribute to Palladio’s mother, Sally, who tragically passed away. It is a gorgeous poem with adorable horns leading into a piano sequence. Described as a symphony, it succeeds, and the lyric that became the album’s title works perfectly.
Although Palladio has spent seasons immersed in Nashville and all the music surrounding it, there are still plenty of signs of his British heritage. The track ‘Gone Like The Summer’ gives proceedings an almost Britpop feel or possibly a nod towards the later Keane albums. ‘Bullet For Your Love’ on the other hand highlights what Palladio can do with a simple tune and his voice. This is a striking, evocative ballad. Palladio sings with all the soul he can muster, “I won’t run away, and I won’t put my hands up / They can take me down, but nothing’s going to take us.” ‘Wake Me Up In Nashville’ concludes the set. It is a simple ballad with an acoustic guitar.
The album feels like Palladio has had so many ideas buzzing around in his head that he has tried to get them all out in one go. Tracks like ‘ SMF’ and ‘B.O.A.T’ don’t seem to belong in this collection. However Palladio is finding his way, and there is nothing wrong with that. Overall, it is an interesting debut that will translate well into live performances.
