[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

Just listened to the new song.

Very different. It's got some obvious Polvoisms all embedded in a pretty different sounding song.

I'm not sure how I feel about that main pounding beat, the echoey loop, or just the general disconnected feel of the song. I always though Polvo were good at writing short astute pop songs with weird guitars, and the occasionally fucking epic (in a Slint sense) song.

Beggar's Bowl feels more like a jam, and a weak one at that. Seriously, there were like three or four instrumental sections in there, that just kind of were there and didn't do anything.

Maybe they're trying to capture the Explosions in the Sky fans?


I know this sounds like typical anti-progressive bullshit, but really, I'm not against them approaching music in a new way. It just doesn't sound like they're doing it well. Maybe in context of the album it will grow on me.

[auto-aim]

it seems weird to say but it does seem them being kind of popular rock... maybe as atsonic states. I dont mind it though - even found it catchy/catching on a couple listens - though im kind of hoping it's the only song that sounds like that on the album. I hate promo songs also - really ruin the album listen.

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

I kind of found it anti-catchy myself.

The song seems to lack a sense of melody.

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

The thing with the song, while pretty decent, is that it sounds too well recorded for Polvo, not like how their other albums sound, or maybe that's just how I hear it...

~Jeremy~

I can sort of see that.

There albums all kind of sound sloppy and out of tune. I think they're a band that benefits from loose playing.

[The Earl Of Slander]

Originally Posted by SpectralJulianIsNotDead

I can sort of see that.

There albums all kind of sound sloppy and out of tune. I think they're a band that benefits from loose playing.

To be more specific, what makes the classic Polvo records so face-melting is that they consistently manage to sound really kind of sloppy, out of tune and just generally off, while actually being some of the tightest stuff I've ever heard. The genius lies in the way that they create music that sounds really off kilter and thrown together, almost drunken, and yet, when you listen hard, is very much meticulously put together and totally on point in the way it veers from section to section. I always kind of saw the best of Polvo as like someone took some math-rock, completely destroyed it, and then very carefully stitched the remnants back together as these really warped pop songs. And it was magic.

The new track… doesn’t sound like this. It’s good, and I’ll be glad to hear more, but it suffers from a lot of the same problems as other late period Polvo, in that it trades in that sloppy veneer for a more "professional" rock construction, combined with more seperate "odd bits", but actually, when you get down to it, isn’t as well put together underneath it all. Still worth listening to, and better than most stuff in the same vein, but somehow ultimately lacking whatever it was that made, say, Today’s Active Lifestyles a masterpiece…

Or maybe it just needs to grow on me. Whatever.

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

hit the nail on the head

[greedrex]

I predict that in 3 months time, i'll be the only to dig the new Polvo and everybody else will be trashing it and i'll negrep everybody, quit the board (after having created about ten threads about my quitting) and then come back 6 months later under a totally different name under which i had registered two years ago but had totally forgotten but everybody will instantly recognize my bilious prose so i'll be busted and feel like a loser.

[HECKLER SPRAY]

I will support you greedrex, ans I'll quit the board too, those fuckers don't understand what good music means...

And for the record, I like this song.

Well, I think they've lost a lot of their sound with the abandonment of their former drummer, he was really good, the new one is just ok, too classic in my opinion.

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

New album coming out in about a month. I wonder how soon til it leaks. I'm really hoping that song somehow fits once you hear it in the album.

[hevusa]

Just bought my ticket to see Polvo live in October! Fuck yeah squared!!

[Rob Instigator]

they "lost" their sound when they broke up for ten fucking years or whatever it was. let's just hope they rock again.

[pbradley]

Beggar's Bowl is a bit meh but only that. I hope the rest of the album is more like that other new song they've been playing live.

[barry swedgin]

I love Polvo. I can't wait for the new LP. I think being a Polvo fan is second nature for a SY fan??!!

[Rob Instigator]

Polvo, Unwound, and Blonde Redhead appear to be the three that many sonic yotuh fans adore as well.

[Derek]

Well... listened to the new track for the first time there. I wasn't expecting that! Sounds like Polvo becoming a mainstream metal band haha... but I still think it sounds good and well constructed.

At least they are trying something new I guess, instead of rehashing things they've already done.

[barry swedgin]

Originally Posted by Rob Instigator

Polvo, Unwound, and Blonde Redhead appear to be the three that many sonic yotuh fans adore as well.

Never heard Unwoud. Guess I'd better check 'em out.

Love the other 2.

[hevusa]

Originally Posted by Rob Instigator

Polvo, Unwound, and Blonde Redhead appear to be the three that many sonic yotuh fans adore as well.

I'd throw Mogwai in with that gang as well.

[Derek]

A lot of people on here aren't into Mogwai though it seems. I like them myself but not really a fan.

[atsonicpark]

they're boring as fuck.

[barry swedgin]

The early stuff rocks. The newer stuff is nice and all, but it needs a little anger