LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ MSO PR) POOL PARTY, the new album from Atlanta-based rock band PONDEROSA, is bursting with neo-psychedelic sounds, amorphous guitars and earthen harmonies. It is the result of a sonic transformation for a band that realized within weeks of the release of their debut record, they were evolving musically in another direction. Aided and inspired by producer Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, MGMT), PONDEROSA gave their imagination free reign and delivered a diverse album that pulls them away from the clichéd term southern rock and finds themselves spiritually at home within southern indie.
"Navajo," the first single, an atmospheric, chant-like cathartic stomp of shimmeringrhythm guitars propelled by "waking the dead" drums that would serve as the soundtrack to the climax of a Eudora Welty short story, premieres today at Paste Magazine. Listen to "Navajo" here:https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2012/05/song-premiere-ponderosa—navajo.html.
PONDEROSA-KALEN NASH (lead vocals), JOHN DANCE (keyboards/vocals), JONATHAN HALL (bass/vocals), KRIS SAMPSON (lead guitar) and DARREN DODD (drums)-approached recording the new record with an open mind and a group effort mentality. "When the band first started, it was me with a bunch of songs," singer KALEN NASH says. "This record is a band record. We almost wrote the whole thing in the studio." Fridmann gave the band free reign and they cut loose. "We got to play in the studio for two weeks without limits," NASH says. "It made the process more satisfying because the songs were new; we got to record them as is."
The result is a moody and mysterious collection of songs, full of unexpected twists and turns that will keep listeners on the edge of their seats. "Black Hill Smoke" sounds like the
Everly Brothers lost in the Twilight Zone. Ghostly, shimmering harmonies, minimal percussion and a slow, classic rock turnaround give the track a dark, mournful feeling. "Navajo" alternates between grinding chords and muted arpeggios to create an ominous sound that builds to a satisfying climax, while the funereal "Cold Hearted Man" features a stark, wrenching vocal from NASH, sung with acoustic guitar and ambient keys that make this meditation on sin and mortality one of the album's most chilling moments. "On Your Time" shows off the band's rocking side with a solid, driving backbeat, chiming guitars and their soaring harmonies. The music sounds like it was played loud, but it's mixed to sound quiet, a technique that amps up the emotional intensity to breathtaking levels.
PONDEROSA will be on the road to support POOL PARTY throughout the summer. Expect a full tour announcement soon.
Catch PONDEROSA on the road in the following cities:
Summer Camp 2012 Festival
Sat 5/26 Chillicothe, IL Three Sisters Park and Campground
Soundcheck Festival
Sat 6/2 Austin, TX The Belmont
Free Press Summerfest Festival
Sun 6/3 Houston, TX Eleanor Tinsley Park at Buffalo Bayou
Bunbury Music Festival
Fri 7/13 Cincinnati, OH Sawyer Point/Yeatman's Cove
Soundtown Festival
Fri 7/27 Somerset, WI Somerset Amphitheater
