The fifth record by an Australian psychedelic rock band, this is my first experience with them. I had to listen to this record a couple of times because I wan't sure about everything. I mean, the band definitely rocks. Huge sixties fuzzed-out riffs.
But when the psychedelic verses take over, it gets a little odd. Like, what are we doing here? The vocals are unitelligible and overechoed. Track one is a great example. "Whatever Happened to the Million Head Collide" fades in and tries to paint a pretty picture, but when the band kicks in - it's bad-LSD-trip time.
When you do get more than a little vocal, like on "Xanman", it comes off sounding like The James Gang, which is fine. Neither the vocal nor the lack of melody will be missed when the groove is being grooved.
"O Dharma" is the only real full-on boner on the record. A slow, acoustic mess which is barely played together. A layered Fleet Foxes type of vocal interlude doesn't add enough interest. Just too sloppy to achieve that kind of sound. And while not as boring, "Aloneaflameaflower" is basically Pond's version of "Black Sabbath". A pretty straight cover.
The title track is the weirdest of the bunch. A hip-shaker with lots of feedback, it also includes an old Australian man talk-singing about a hobo on a rocket. Kind of like Lou Reed's Metallica album. But the ace in the Pondhole is the clip below. "Giant Tortoise" is huge and bass-y. The riff-rock hook takes over the dream pop verse. It's the best definition of what Pond does best. (3 of 5 stars)
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