the Lürxx – Palm Trees Oh Yeah! (EP Review)

Today’s review features the new EP Palm Trees Oh Yeah! by the Lürxx. 

This explosive Hollywood-born, UK-based glam punk duo are back. “This new release is a thrilling ride of high-quality, hand-made music, delivering raw rock ‘n’ roll packed with emotional intensity and a pinch of chaos.” The new EP was mixed and mastered by Sixx:A.M.’s James Michael.

“Formed in the vibrant glam punk scene of mid-90s Hollywood, The Lürxx are a unique glam punk band known for their passionate advocacy for nature and animal rights, creating a distinctive sound that blends high-energy rock with a punk attitude and environmental activism.” (One Sheet).

The band’s sound “draws major influences from late 60s and early 70s rock music as well as from late 70s punk rock, from a time when music was at the forefront of societal change.” Id. The band sees their music as “a powerful call to action, celebrating the beauty of nature and urging listeners to join the fight against speciesism and environmental destruction.” Id. This is a message we can all get behind particularly now as we enter the computer – techno – android age. I personally love walks in the woods.

The band’s latest projects include collaborations with organizations like the Wild Heart Mustang Sanctuary in Utah, dedicated to saving wild mustangs. The new EP even includes the song “Mustang” dedicated to this cause.

the Lürxx are:
Xavi – vocals, guitars, bass
Sunny – lead guitars, recorders, bass, backing vocals

The band is rooted in the legacy sound of legendary bands like LA Guns, Bang Tango, Hanoi Rocks, the Quireboys, Dogs D’Amour, Twisted Sister, and Guns N’ Roses. The Sunset Strip sound. Xavi quotes Cesar Cruz: “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” OK, so to listen, we have to be prepared to be disturbed. OK, game on!

So let’s have a listen …

This is a 4 song EP. The first song is “Mustang” “a hard-rocking sonic adventure that gives a voice to mustangs, forging an emotional bond between listeners and these amazing creatures. With vocals that include wild neighing. This song will leave you feeling free and unstoppable.” Id.

The song Mustangs starts off with quite the freaky intro. Lots of strange sounds! Then the vocals come in complete with horse neighing sounds underneath. The chant of “wild, wild” and “free ending in a horse sound. “You can’t break my spirit.” Excellent lead guitar solo. Loving the vocals. “Freedom is our right!” I can certainly agree with the song’s message. And a very nice ending complete with recorders and horses’ neighing.

The next song on the album is “We Are the Weedz” which the band describes as “an epic arena-rocker about the rebellious power of weeds, relating their asphalt-crushing power to the strength of rebellious people fighting for a better world.” Id. I love how the background vocals are sounding underneath the main vocals. This song reminds me of Tenacious D. I love the drone of the recorders. I like how the main vocals and backing vocals intertwine throughout the song. Drums track the guitar changes. They sound like live drums. The song is 4:11, probably could be shorter. I love the arpeggiated acoustic guitar which comes in at the end of the song.

“The Streets Are Paved with Stars” is the next song on this EP. The band describes this one as “an inspirational glam punk anthem that encourages listeners to chase their dreams against all odds while revisiting the band’s Hollywood roots.” Id.

This song starts with a speaking vocal talking about Hollywood and California nights. Not sure I’m digging the main vocal on this song when the singing finally kicks in, but it’s growing on me. I love the lead guitar riffs that come in the middle of the song. The vocal is trippy. I love how the song is transforming into a power alt-rock ballad the longer it plays. The band does a great job incorporating strange sound effects in their songs.

The final song on the EP is “You’re Badass” which the band describes as “a wild, Van Halen-inspired love song for activists.” Id. The song starts off with a lonely vocal singing “You offer no excuses for your values and your convictions” and then plunges into the doom metal riff category. I like the strangeness of the stressed out vocals. The vocals are over the top. Reminds me a bit of Axl Rose in the use of shrieks and screams. In the middle of the song – back to the intro’s speaking vocal lines, and then bam, we’re back to full metal riffage – with metallic lead guitar riffage buried underneath the vocals. I love the phone call vocals at the end.

All four songs come with a full-scale music video. One of the videos – “You’re Badass” – earned the band an Honorable Mention at the 2024 Berlin Music Video Awards! You can find the videos on YouTube here

SCORE/Excellent: I’m really impressed by this EP. It’s very fun to listen to. Lots of cool radio narrator and sound effects. I like the activist message of the band and it comes off in their music. I like that each song comes with it’s own video, that should be a must for new bands. I don’t hear as much glam rock as just really good trippy alt rock. This EP is well worth the listen, or multiple listens. Pick one up this week! Much love, Beth

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