Pontiak, a three piece comprised of the brothers Carney from Virginia, have released four albums prior to 'Living,' and in only two years. Despite this prodigious work-rate, they've evidently spent some time working on achieving their stripped back, guitar-heavy sound, and on 'Living' it coheres brilliantly. It sounds and feels like a proper album, from a proper band.
I suppose the most straightforward description of their sound would be classic stoner rock meets heavy psychedelia: incorporating elements of Led Zep, Queens of the Stone Age and flavouring the whole dish with a heavy dollop of Americana, 'Living' is kinda laid back and seriously loud with a retro, analogue vibe.
There's a definite groove to the album as a whole (and this is an album designed to be played as a whole: it's certainly not a few standout 'single' tracks and a supporting cast of fillers), but it's a slow, chilled rockin' groove, filled with gritty, crunchy guitars and chugging basslines. 'And By Night' is pure sludge riffery, with crashing percussion to boot. The big rock-out moments are interspersed with more delicate, sedate musical explorations and heavily sedates sways like 'Second Sun' and 'Beach' respectively.
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The decision to record the album on an old reel to reel in the band's home studio using two track tape was definitely the right one: there's a warm, fuzzy analogue feel to 'Living' that's perfectly matched to the material. The tape is used as an integral feature on the slowed down Melvins-like 'Lemon Lady,' on which the sound momentarily warps and halts before the track resumes its valve-crunching, feedback-whining neolithic crawl. Simple, back-to-basics, raw and honest, it's a joy to listen to, from start to finish, and then over again.
Pontiak on Myspace
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