Pontiak - Sea Voids Arzgarth ( SuperAdmin ) 55,337 posts since 7/17/2002 Posted on 1/24/2010 at 12:27:01 PM Pontiak - Sea Voids Review by John Pegoraro (StonerRock.com) Thrill Jockey Records Release date: 2009 Regarding Pontiak, I know exactly thus: the band's comprised of three brothers, their latest release was recorded over the course of eight nights and is available only in limited edition vinyl, and their other 2009 album Maker has popped up on a couple of Top 10 lists. That's not enough to make me a scholar on the group but it's enough context to review Sea Voids. This nine-song offering has a definite air of spontaneity to it, with a loose, jam-like structure and an “anything goes” mentality. That leads to some inspired tracks that showcase a variety of sounds - opener “Suzerain” is a doomish cruncher, whereas following number “World Wide Prince” takes on a more ethereal alt rock approach (sort of a shoegazer Shellac). Further on down the line comes “Life and Coral,” a folksy, acoustic song that, on paper, shouldn't have any business being the follow-up to the crescendo of noise that is “Shot in the Arm” or the lead-in to the dope-sick psych rock of “The Spiritual Nurse.” But in reality it works really well. I'll chalk that up to the fact that Pontiak's a band of talented, prolific brothers (this is, after all, their second 2009 release). I don't know how off the cuff Sea Voids actually is, but I have no doubts that Van (lead vocals, guitar), Jennings (bass, organ, vocals), and Lain Carney (drums, vocals) have no trouble playing off each others ideas. How Sea Voids compares to their other releases is a job I'll leave up to the more informed. I will say that based on this album, I'm not surprised they've garnered the praise they have. There's a spark of creativity going on here that shines brighter than in most bands – I get the feeling that they'd be able to knock off an album full of songs like “Life and Coral” and “It's the Life” and it'd be just as impressive as one full of their heavier, more twisted material. Recommended. URL: http://www.pontiak.net/ Edited 0 Times I`m never going to work another day in my life   c.troutman ( Regular Member ) 11,465 posts since 4/10/2001 Posted on 1/25/2010 at 4:54:00 PM Cannot recommend these guys enough a breath of fresh air Edited 0 Times http://subjectiveheaviness.blogspot.com/   hellmistress ( SuperAdmin ) 2,257 posts since 11/15/2000 Posted on 2/19/2010 at 10:37:02 PM This album is available for purchase from All That is Heavy. We also have Maker and Sun on Son available. URL: http://www.AllThatIsHeavy.com Edited 1 Times Reading comprehension is a lost art.   GodShifter ( Forums Administrator ) 13,532 posts since 2/16/2003 Posted on 3/5/2010 at 11:27:32 PM This is a great album. The track "Suzerain" is worth the price of admission alone. Shoot me, but a lot of what Pontiak do reminds me a bit of maybe the 2nd Clutch album. I get that kind of vibe from them. Is that way off base? I don't think so. I've checked out Maker and Sun On Sun so far and like them a lot too. Edited 0 Times fuck more, bitch less   Karl Hungus ( Regular Member ) 278 posts since 2/6/2010 Posted on 3/6/2010 at 1:40:48 PM I dig Maker and Sea Voids alot, the earlier albums they hadnt come into their sound yet, imo and they sound absolutley nothing like clutch Edited 0 Times   GodShifter ( Forums Administrator ) 13,532 posts since 2/16/2003 Posted on 3/6/2010 at 3:07:10 PM I checked out Valley Of Cats this morning and wasn't that into it. So, after listening to them all I'd say Sun On Son is the best place to start with these guys. Still, to my ears, Sea Voids is the best of the entire bunch. I don't hear a lot of Clutch in the band either. But I do hear some inspiration from, particularly, that 2nd s/t album. But there's many, many other influences going on with Pontiak. That was just one that stood out to me while I was listening last night. Edited 0 Times fuck more, bitch less     ( Post a Reply to This Thread ) ( Back to Album Reviews )