Soft Serve
It was 90+ degrees in Chicago today, and after all the crazy below-normal temperatures we've been having the past few weeks I was not at all prepared for this massive dose of heat. I mean, going from upper 50s to 90 in around a week? That's just a little crazy. So I was out and about today and decided it was essential for me to have some ice cream. After a cookie dough cone, I'm feeling a bit more refreshed, and you could even say a little buzzed from the sugar. Gotta love that ice cream.Which got me thinking. Specifically about the band Ponytail, whose album is titled "Ice Cream Spiritual!" There's some interesting buzz surrounding the band right now, and with the album's release on June 17th I figured now would be as good of a time as any to talk about this record. The band is signed to the We Are Free imprint, home to another cool band otherwise known as Yeasayer. In some sense of the word Ponytail and Yeasayer share similar qualities in their music, but you probably wouldn't notice them unless you were paying close attention. But I will say this- if you're familiar with Yeasayer and think they're a "different" sort of band, just wait until you hear Ponytail.
The compare and contrast people almost always point out Ponytail's similarity to Deerhoof. It's a comparison that's warranted, in large part because that was the first band I thought of from the start of "Ice Cream Spiritual!" Being unfamiliar with the band's critically acclaimed debut album "Kamehameha," this new record hit me with surprises I wasn't prepared for. Most notably, the general lack of lyrics but by no means lack of singing. I'm pretty sure most of the vocals are just random noises, sort of like Sigur Ros' "Hopelandic" language only these don't even sound like made up words. At a few points I was able to discern a couple words from songs, but mostly the singing is there to add more effects to the wild guitars and African-like drums. Needless to say, you won't be singing along with Ponytail.
Their energy, however, is limitless. "Ice Cream Spiritual!" is a steel, multi-looped roller coaster ride in that it's fast, fun, and you have no idea what just happened once it's ended. Yep, you're dizzy and light-headed and even confused, but are fully aware that your world has just been rocked and somehow you're the better for it. Of course there's also plenty of people who would never go near one of those coasters because they'll get sick, but for those of us that can take it, there's a thrill a minute. Though the album does a great job of capturing the experience of actually hearing Ponytail, methinks the best medicine is to actually go see the band perform live. You can only harness so much frenetic energy on a studio recording, and to see band members go insane at some small venue has to border on mind-blowing.
So that's how I best recommend being educated on Ponytail. But "Ice Cream Spiritual!" It's an album I wholeheartedly recommend if you're into very strange, high-energy music. I can honestly say I have never heard an album quite like this before, and though it may not always be my cup of tea, I have a gigantic load of respect for it. And in a similar fashion to your local Baskin' Robbins store, I do advise you to use the sampling spoon before comitting to a full scoop the flavor on a cone.
Ponytail- Celebrate the Body Electric (It Came From an Angel)
Ponytail- G Shock
Preorder "Ice Cream Spiritual!" from Amazon
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