[atsonicpark]

 

POLVO "TODAY'S ACTIVE LIFESTYLES"
1993, Merge

1. "Thermal Treasure" - 4:32
2. "Lazy Comet" - 3:49
3. "My Kimono" - 2:21
4. "Sure Shot" - 3:24
5. "Stinger (Five Wigs)" - 7:23
6. "Tilebreaker" - 4:09
7. "Shiska" - 1:30
8. "Time Isn't On My Side" - 3:06
9. "Action Vs. Vibe" - 3:43
10. "Gemini Cusp" - 7:05

Well, as a band, Polvo is pretty much perfect... "Shapes" didn't have too many stand-out moments, but it's not like it had any bad songs.. so, it's really difficult to choose a "classic" album from this band.. I think my favorite thing by them might be the Celebrate the New Dark Age EP, but since that is just an EP, I'll choose this..

I don't even remember how I first heard this album.. I think I was reading about "math rock" or something. Anyway.. Using alternate tunings, complex song structures, and a sense of melody unsurpassed (though underplayed on this particular album), Polvo created a unique sound that -- feel free to disagree -- crafted the best elements of Pavement and Sonic Youth without any of the fat or filler (no Pavementy stupid lyrics; no Sonic Youth midsong feedback breaks or overt sassiness).

Every song on here is amazing and -- most importantly -- different. They could have easily written 10 chugging noise rock numbers, but they managed to fill their songs to the brim with innovative guitar textures. The best song, BY FAR, is "stinger", which applies noise with melodic guitar playing and creepy harmonics for a startlingly epic effect.

Another highlight is "My Kimono", which is just guitarist Ash Bowie playing a solo guitar piece on strangely-tuned guitar; it makes me want to give up playing guitar forever. So effortlessly beautiful. Ridiculous.

For fans of Thinking FEllers Union Local 282, Sonic Youth, Truman's Water... this is one of the best albums of all time and the most overlooked. Give it a listen. It's perfect.