by Kegan Warner
July 17, 2012
Atlanta/Athens Southern Rock band Ponderosa returns with their sophomore release Pool Party. It's, as they put it, "a left hand turn from their last release," Moonlight Revival.
Singer/guitarist Kalen Nash, lead guitarist Kris Sampson, with other members Jon [bass], John [keyboard], and Darren [drums] have shifted from the old Americana revival of their first release to more of a surf-dream-pop sound in the likes of bands Beach House or Best Coast, but lined with a dark, southern presence.
"This record is a band record" says Nash, "We almost wrote the whole thing in the studio." Producer Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, MGMT) gave the band free reign, and the album has grown from "just a bunch of songs", to a mysterious collection of cathartic, dark, classic rock tunes.
The first single, "Navajo," layers shimmering rhythm guitars, echoey vocals, and fading synth highlights on top of Nash's boasting lyrics. Full of grinding chords and muted arpeggios, it builds to a satisfying climax. It sports some pretty rad cover art too.
Pool Party will be released July 31st on New West Records. You can snag a few free tracks from the album before its release on their website.
