Album Review: The Weather, Pond
Pond's latest album is out now, and it isn't one you should skip over this year. The psychedelic rock band from Australia is back with an 80's-pop vibe with The Weather, their seventh studio album released May 5th.
The Weather begins with "30000 Megatons", a first track that doesn't seem like much on its own but helps to draw the listener in and set the album up. The pace picks up with "Sweep Me Off My Feet" and "Paint Me Silver", but shifts with"Colder Than Ice", which feels straight out of the 80's.
"A/B" has a duality about it, starting fast paced and dancy until about a minute in, where it switches to more of a slower, sad piano tune. In between this shift is the sound of a radio or tv changing stations. The mood of the second half of "A/B" carries over into "Zen Automation", a slightly faster ballad that still uses hints of piano.
"Edge of the World, Part 1" and "Edge of the World, Part 2" are almost identical, as one would guess. "Part 1" feels like a standard version, whereas "Part 2" has more of a remastered feel. "Part 2" is slowed down until halfway through, where it uses more synth and drums compared to the gentle guitar in the first three minutes.
As a whole, the album flows together well. This is in part thanks to the use of transitional noises such as static and a radio/tv. These noises help to slow the album down or speed it up as it plays, pulling the pace of the album together. You can hear this specifically within "A/B", at the end of "Colder than Ice", and at the beginnings of "Paint Me Silver" and "Edge of the World, Part 2".
Pond brought back the 80's, but I'm definitely not mad about it. Take a listen, and maybe you'll dig it too!
Rate: 7/10
Favorite tunes: "Sweep Me Off My Feet", "Paint Me Silver", "The Weather"
