“Taught to Look Away“
from the album Last Light
2007
iTunes
Matt Pond PA made one of the decade’s best indie-pop albums with 2005’s Several Arrows Later, a cello-laced mix of edgy, introspective rock tunes with killer melodies and just the right mix of sweet and sour.
Singer-songwriter Pond and his crew followed that disc up this summer with a five-song EP and just recently released another full-length, Last Light.
Backed by an almost entirely new band, Pond still has a way with melodies and a penchant for non-traditional rock instruments such as strings, vibes and pedal steel, but Last Light is much more guitar-heavy than its predecessor, adding more of a rock edge.
As always, Pond’s slightly raspy, Peter Gabriel-esque voice is a strength, but there’s a lot to listen for in the arrangements, too, whether it’s the piano and vibes on the urgent, Spoon-like “People Have a Way,” the strings and vocal harmonies on the lush, ’50s-flavored “Taught to Look Away” (a duet with Neko Case) or the acoustic guitar and Wurlitzer on the gentle “Locate the Pieces.”
There’s an emotional core to all of Pond’s work that causes it to grow on you with each listen, and the same is true of Last Light. Though many of the melodies don’t jump out the first time around — and some seem a little too easy, teetering toward rock cliché — you’ll find yourself awaiting certain choruses and bridges the more you play it. It’s a testament to Pond’s skill as a songwriter.
I love Matt Pond PA AND Neko Case adn fully support this. Truthfully, I miss the cello on this new album but got to see him at Double Door in Chicago a few weeks ago and have to say, it was a great show.
Matt Pond is damn good. He was fun to see live and Several Arrows Later is spot on. The new one, well, we’ll see.
Jeff
Saw the band in Philly. Amazing show. Maybe I’m the only one who thinks so but I think they rocked without the cello.
I’ve been really geeting into Matt Pond since Emblems. His lyrics and melodies are amazing. I really like the new album Last Light, especially Locate The Pieces and People Have A Way
I Can’t get Holiday Road out of my head. what a great version.