Sometimes a band adds a little more polish and production and their loyal following get up in arms. There’s a little bit of that happening with the latest Kings of Leon release. Fans get upset with the band and say they’re losing their roots, becoming too commercialized, yada yada yada. Sometimes, however, a little polish and direction will take a good band to the next level. This is evident in the third release (and first on Matador) from Chicago’s own, The Ponys.
I’ve enjoyed The Ponys’ first two releases, but at times thought they were scattershot and all over the place. I also felt that they took a step back with Celebation Castle. They seemed to lose their “what-the-fuck?” attitude from 2004′s Laced With Romance and became a bit too enamored with 80′s Brit post-punk.
Enter Brian Case for Ian Adams on guitar and producer, John Agnello, who really tapped into the bands potential. Whereas before they seemed to be rudderless, and truth be told sometimes that led to the fantastic results, Agnello seems to have The Pony’s on the same page from soup to nuts on Turn the Lights Out.
As with their first two releases, The Ponys open the disc with a bang with “Double Vision.” The combo of Jered Gummere’s toned-down vocals, the awesome guitar interplay between Gummere & Brian Case and a great bass line from Melissa Elias lets you know without doubt that Matador has found themselves a diamond in the rough.‚ The guitar work of team Case and Gummere is what really sets this disc apart from their predecessors. “Poser Psychotic” is one tune where the two really stand out. I find myself mesmerized by this song and continually hitting the repeat button to hear it again.
Kudos to Matador for roping in The Ponys and kudos to The Ponys for taking the next step to what we can only hope will be a a long and fruitful career.
