Waxing Nostalgic: Golden Palominos, “Buenos Aires”

By Jeffery X Martin

It’s not fair to call the Golden Palominos a supergroup. They were one, but they were beyond that. The Golden Palominos were a collaboration of musicians, heroes of the deep underground, with a lineup that rotated from album to album, changing styles and moods, sometimes drastically, with every release.

Accessibility was not their strong suit.

The project was spearheaded by Anton Fier, former drummer for the Lounge Lizards and the Feelies. He was joined by chaos bass player Bill Laswell and Greek-American guitarist Nicky Skopelitis. These three would remain the core of the Golden Palominos, while other musicians and vocalists came and went.

Arguably, their finest lineup was the one assembled for their second album, Visions of Excess. Anchored by strong drum patterns that functioned more as melody than percussion and Laswell’s fluid, reptilian basslines, the album has a unique vibe. Imagine alt-country industrial, and you’re part of the way there.

The guest vocalists on the album include Mumbling Michael Stipe of R.E.M., the forever-obnoxious John Lydon, and founding member of Cream, Jack Bruce. Those names may have been enough to draw in the savvy college rock fan, and there’s no doubt that their songs on Visions of Excess are great, intense fun to listen to.

The album also marks the debut of Syd Straw, possessor of a tremendous voice, strong and evocative. Wisely, the more emotional songs on the record were left to her, and she gives them a level of heart and depth unexpected from one’s first recordings. Her contributions are the shining lights on the album, even finer and more nuanced than the venerable Stipe’s.

“Buenos Aires” is Straw’s show. Based on one of Fier’s intricate drum lines, Straw coos and howls her way through a heart-grinding tale of loss, strength, and Argentina. It’s heavy lifting, and Straw carries it with ease.

Straw has only released three solo albums since recording with the Palominos. That’s probably wise on her part; you know what they say about too much of a good thing. She had a moderate hit with her single, “Love, or the Lack of It.”

But there’s still nothing like her performance with the Golden Palominos, because there’s never been a project quite like The Golden Palominos. Visions of Excess is worth a listen in its entirety, to be sure, but pay close attention to “Buenos Aires,” its sparse use of guitar and reliance on drums and voice to make a desolate impact. While the compression and gating effects used on Fier’s drums date the music a little, Syd Straw’s voice is timeless and Visions of Excess one of the overlooked gems of 1985.

Don’t forget to check out our Waxing Nostalgic Spotify playist, which includes the Golden Palominos and much more!