- Rock/Folk
- 2008
- Buy the CD
Reviewed by Lee Zimmerman
Fortunately, though, Poi Dog Pondering had accumulated enough of a following to create some anticipation for their comeback, which came via 1995’s Pomegranate, an album that reflected an even wider view in terms of their musical mantra. However, instead of trying to focus their approach, they deliberately digressed. The initiation of their own label, Platectonic Music, led to a number of splinter projects – albums bearing remixes, live material and off-kilter electronica.
The new album, 7, makes a modest attempt to reconcile their diverse stylistic threads, and while it hardly holds together as a unified piece of work, it is easier to absorb than their other more recent efforts. They retrace some familiar terrain – easy, amiable folk-like fare (“Perfect Music,” “Space Dust”), rousing ‘70s soul (“Rusted Weather,” “Baby Together,” “Sticky”), anthemic rockers (“From This Moment On,” “Super Tarana”) and occasional moments of quiet contemplation (“In Comes the Night,” “Butterflies”). The assortment of styles is striking, and while the drastic changes from track to track can be jarring, to the say the least, the band’s ability to effortlessly transition from one template to another shows a remarkable agility. In a certain sense, 7 is Poi Dog Pondering’s White Album, at least in terms of ambition and intent.
Even so, it’s unlikely that 7 will bring the band that wider recognition so essential to their forward momentum. Despite its plethora of terrific melodies, its incongruity makes them difficult to typecast, an otherwise crucial element in attaining wider recognition. Still, if they can attract some newcomers with an ear for adventure, 7 could prove to be Poi Dog Pondering’s lucky number.
You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for content updates. Also, sign up for our email list for weekly updates and check us out on Google+ as well.