If you’re looking for some groovy, jam-worthy, psychedelic rock, look no further! Pond is back with their fifth studio album, “Hobo Rocket” and it’s out of this world! The seven-track record fades in with the multi-genre jam, “Whatever Happened to the Million Head Collide?” The tune builds anticipation before exploding into a trippy, riff-rattled chorus at around 1:20. “Whatever Happened to the Million Head Collide?” alternates between slow and panicked throughout the orchestral track before sliding into the bass-heavy “Xanman.” “Xanman” is noticeably perkier, and is enhanced with just enough vocal distortion to make you imagine how wonderful this would sound live. Up next is “O Dharma,” a track that does a complete 180, embracing slight synths and twangy guitars that showcase their strong Tame Impala influence. This is not only understandable, considering multiple members of Pond are also in Tame, but welcomed, as a cleaner sound gives the group an entirely new dimension. “Aloneaflameaflower” starts off surprisingly dark with Sabbath-inspired chords before dropping off into an instrumentally repetitive verse accompanying haunting lyrics, “whatever I’m doing here, it’s not fair / wasting water, wasting air…”
“Giant Tortoise” started off with distorted church bells before going into another Tame-Impala-influenced jam-sesh. White-Stripes-inspired solos weave between wavy melodies and floating vocals. The album’s title track, “Hobo Rocket,” blasts off into a mid-tempo tune with strong folk and middle eastern influences accompanied by vocals that clash in the best way possible. Wrapping up “Hobo Rocket” is “Midnight Mass (At The Market Street Payphone)”, an aggressive track that has no issues grabbing attention. Overall, Pond’s fifth album flows…swimmingly (I had to), and should be heard by psych-rock lovers everywhere. I tip my hat to you, Pond.
