Tuesday May 12, 2009

words_sasha hnatkovich

I’m little late to the party – POBPAH’s debut LP has been out for a bit and I am just now sitting down to write my ten cents worth. Alex, Kip, Kurt and Peggy are already adorning glossies, enjoying airtime on late-night television and storming independent radio.

The New York City quartet’s earnest noise pop has become my soundtrack for soccer games, gardening and spring cleaning (well, not the former just yet). Their self-titled record had me at the opening feedback of “Contender” – a racket of distorted guitars, fuzzy bass and uncomplicated rock drumming blend with New Wave keyboard textures, lovingly self-conscious singing and lo-fi, reverb-laden production for a sound that is makes me long for hot summer days and nostalgic for school vacations. The result is a pop album unlike anything that has been produced in decades – every song a single, three-minute radio playable perfection.

“Come Saturday” rushes headlong with raucous joy. “Young Adult Friction” jangles with youthful exuberance. “This Love Is Fucking Right” bounces with adolescent innocence. The band crafts dreamy melodies from their mayhem throughout the record. Their melancholy lyrics are intelligent and delivered with such honesty that they avoid the cliché of so many other 80s retro acts.

This album is just simply impeccable and shows great promise from this young band.

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