The Ponys, ‘Turn the Lights Out’
By user • Apr 3rd, 2007 • Category: Album Reviews
The third LP from The Ponys finds the Chicago band following the same formula as its previous releases, proving the band is – well – somewhat of a one-trick pony.
The foursome is very good at front-loading its records with vibrant, neo-glam tunes that both set the pace for the remainder of the recording and cause little reason to listen beyond the first few songs. “Turn the Lights Out” is no exception, as its latter half?s choruses are slightly less catchy, the guitars not quite as sharp, the rhythm section not as driving and the songs, frankly, not as memorable.
The album’s opener, “Double Vision,” is a hauntingly airy, mood-setter that relies on front-man Jered Gummere’s breathy vocals laid over his girlfriend Melissa Elias’ walking bass line. “Everyday Weapon” further shows off the quartet’s pension for razor-edged, fuzzy guitar solos; while “Small Talk” intertwines those same guitars in a mellow and more distant manor over tribal-like drums en route to the band’s most challenging – and rewarding – musical arrangement to date. But following the key-driven, bouncy title track, it begins to feel like we’ve heard these songs before.
For better or worse, the second half of this Matador Records debut lacks any standout moments – no noticeable peaks or valleys. That means the record is void of any clumsily mismatched filler, but it’s a conservative consistency that ultimately hinders the band. By not stretching itself beyond seemingly rewriting the same song a dozen times, The Ponys have penned themselves into a rut.
Though at first it’s a compelling pen, it gets tiresome and it would be nice to see the group take a few unbridled risks.
Northern Star, April 3, 2007
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