Pala
by Friendly Fires
  • Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: May 24, 2011
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
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  1. DJunior
    Jun 11, 2017
    10
    Excellent album. All the tracks made me feel good. My favorite album of all time.
    I really hope they make a 3rd album. I've been waiting for years and I know they're not gonna dissapoint me.
    Big fan of their work
  2. JengoMango
    Jan 12, 2012
    9
    There's so much music coming at you from all directions that sometimes all behind your control you miss out on some of the good stuff. Why haven't I discovered this album during summer?! So bright, so unapologetically pop, so much fun! An unlistenable crap like Teenage Dream produces 5 #1 hits and this doesn't?! For another reference point it is also better than Cut Copy's Zonoscope,There's so much music coming at you from all directions that sometimes all behind your control you miss out on some of the good stuff. Why haven't I discovered this album during summer?! So bright, so unapologetically pop, so much fun! An unlistenable crap like Teenage Dream produces 5 #1 hits and this doesn't?! For another reference point it is also better than Cut Copy's Zonoscope, because it is preoccupied with abundant joy than contrivance.… Collapse
  3. MaxRofls
    Aug 10, 2011
    10
    Forest and Matt have got it all wrong. Track for track, the only song from "self-titled" that exceeds ANY of the songs on Pala is "Jump in the Pool". Other than that, Pala is WAYYYYYYYYY better. Better hooks, better tone, better production, better EVERYTHING. This is a definite step forward for this band.
  4. mattchumon
    Jun 23, 2011
    5
    Other than Hawaiian Air not much else works on this album. It is a cliche term but this album was overproduced. Back off the mixing board and write a decent song first.
  5. Forestgravy
    May 28, 2011
    5
    Disappointing. Far from being a poor album but lacks almost all of the charm and the joyfully careless attitude that pulsated through the speakers on their self-titled debut. It seems like they are making a record that they feel they should make, rather than one they want to make. Also, practically no shoegaze elements which gave them an added depth. Musical progression is essential butDisappointing. Far from being a poor album but lacks almost all of the charm and the joyfully careless attitude that pulsated through the speakers on their self-titled debut. It seems like they are making a record that they feel they should make, rather than one they want to make. Also, practically no shoegaze elements which gave them an added depth. Musical progression is essential but this seems far more unimaginitive than their first.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. AllMusic
    Dec 9, 2011
    80
    A headlong rush of an album, Pala is accomplished, bold, and very, very danceable; everything Friendly Fires' debut promised and more.
    Read full review
  2. The Boston Phoenix
    Jun 6, 2011
    50
    For a densely layered, expertly produced dance-rock album, this second full-length from British three-piece Friendly Fires is perplexingly bland.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    May 31, 2011
    60
    There is sparkling pop invention in abundance here, and, homage or not, that surely transcends any decade. [Jun 2011, p.106]
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