Review: Matt Pond PA, The Dark Leaves

Matt Pond PA

The Dark Leaves

A-

If anyone tells you they’ve just heard The Dark Leaves and found the “cool new band” that’s about to take the indie-folk scene by storm, don’t believe another word. Matt Pond PA, the band responsible for the album, has been making music for over a decade. And listening to The Dark Leaves’ contemporary, melodic sound infused with an interesting complexity, it’s clear that the years have been good to Matt Pond and his band mates.

While the album mixes clean, toe-tapping beats, apparent in “Running Wild,” with more relaxed, static tracks, like the soothing but attention-holding “Winter Fawn,” a consistent strong melody and mid-tempo speed keep the album cohesive but never repetitive. Pond’s emotional vocals, which range from a song’s central focus to a minor, muffled instrument, are ubiquitous on the album, and add a human element to the music reminiscent of the Arcade Fire. From start to finish, Matt Pond PA proves that they’re worthy of the amount of time they’ve spent making music, and they’re not about to retire any time soon.

--Leigh Finnegan

Host, Facts and Tracks, Wednesdays from 10-11 and Fridays from 2-3 on WGTB

Review: Retribution Gospel Choir, 2

Retribution Gospel Choir

2

B

Retribution Gospel Choir really likes crescendos. In virtually every track off their sophomore album 2, they start off composed and constrained before exploding into a loud, experimental, guitar-driven climax around halfway through. The band executes this tactic both successfully and cleverly, as it boosts songs that are otherwise lackluster, repetitive, and lyrically uninteresting into powerful and anthemic pieces of (loud) rock. Unfortunately, when used on eight of the album’s ten tracks (the other two being under-a-minute instrumental interludes), the crescendo loses some of its intended potency. After you get through the eight minutes of “Guitar Riff”, the album’s ninth track and supposed pinnacle, you’re ready for something that remains static just to break the monotony.
-- Leigh Finnegan
Host, "Facts and Tracks," Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and Fridays at 2 p.m. on WGTB