“Fences” by Pastel Blank – A Song Feature

 

      “Fences” is marked by feverishly aggressive guitar hooks and unexpected voice inflections. In the single from Pastel Blank, interweaved guitars cooperate with the other instruments to fashion an energized and energizing texture. Still, there are wrinkles. At one point, there is a shout of “STOP,” and the song stops, but only temporarily.

 

   “Fences” resides on a recently released album that is almost self-titled. The title, “Pastel Blanc,” only changes the last letter of the band’s name. Of the seven songs on the album, “Fences” is the standout in our opinion, but all seven hold an appeal. The Spotify stream of the album is embedded at the bottom of this post. 

     Parcel Blank is fronted by Angus Watt and based in Victoria, British Columbia. The credits for the album identify the musicians as:
    Angus Watt - Guitar, Vocals, Wurlitzer / Rhodes
   Oliver Hollingshead – Drums, Percussion
   Dougie Bedell - Bass
  Jordan Clairmont - Keyboards on “Terracotta Sunroom,” “Picture Perfect,” and “Slouching Like a Seraph”
   Maxwell Stover - Saxophone, Flute on “Goomba Stomp” and “Cellophane Clocks”
   Dexter Hodgins - Violin on “Picture Perfect”

     While discussing his single Angus Watt explained:

   "‘Fences' is a strawman song. I wanted to write about proud fence-sitters who mask indecision as an intellectual and moral virtue. I pulled a few examples from various conversations, but to be honest, this song is also quite self-critical. I wanted to poke fun at this type of person, and parts of myself. Though ultimately, I think the song is more ‘fun’ than ‘poke.’" 

 

     Quoting interesting content from the press material:

  “Fences” sees the group take nods from acts like Pavement and Talking Heads, building their psychedelic guitars and synths around an irresistible, pulsating, rhythmic hook. In lieu of such inspiration the group layers a unique mixbag of carefully chosen genres, utilizing elements of carefully placed funk and delicate shades of bossa-nova to positionally aware, punchy disco beats, and hushed, melodic vocals resulting in an opportunity for listeners to break out some dance moves in a way like never before.  

     “Fences” by Pastel Blank

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastelblank
Bandcamp: https://pastelblank.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastel.blank/
 
Lyrics of “Fences” by Pastel Blank
I am generous
Oh, so generous
I take some of my very important time
To explain to you what’s wrong
With your paradigm
 
Just a pair of dimes
That’s all it would take
For me to call you brethren
You might weather the question
Of whether or not
Whether or not
Whether or not I might ask you to
STOP
 
And I sat atop fences
And I gave no thought to the consequences
 
I am virtuous
Virtuous paragon
Pay my taxes, take my vitamins, read Seneca
After morning swim at the
Y, Y, Y
Y, Y, Y
Y M C A
 
And I sat atop fences
And I gave no thought to the consequences
 
From up here my vantage
Is endlessly enlightening
 
And I sat atop fences
And I gave no thought to the consequences
 
From up here my vantage
Is endlessly enlightening
 
Get a job
Get ahead
Pull yourself up
By each tenuous thread
[Repeat]