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If the tracks of this disc, the first full-length from brother-sister duo Ponies in the Surf, were re-sequenced just so, they would present a direct linear development from the simple acoustic ditties of their debut EP to full-fledged, complex, and quite arresting psychedelic pop.
The simpler songs sound more intriguing than before. When things are stripped down to the minimums they're either captivating in their bare form or, like "New Century Program" or "Casey," they sound like demos for better songs to come. They dip into traditional folk and gospel on "Mimi Come Home" and "Sing My Lord." Other songs add instrumentation like organ, twangy surf guitar, and plinky toy piano. These elements, along with the hushed, intimate recording quality and judiciously applied reverb, create a compelling combination of sweetness and spooky atmosphere that puts the Ponies in the company of artists like early His Name Is Alive or Julee Cruise, especially when sister Camille McGregor takes lead vocals. Her voice has the sweet, hushed quality of Rose Melberg. Brother Alexander sounds like a cross between Dan Bejar of Destroyer and The New Pornographers and Jay Ferguson of Sloan.
"Little Boy Lost" sounds like a wonderful demo from a fantasy Beatles/Beach Boys collaboration, with a Lennon-esque melody and psychedelic organ and piano sounds that would fit nicely on Pet Sounds. "Gov't Brand #2" is a reprise of a song from the EP, fleshed out with a full-band arrangement, and in this format the complexity of the song really shines through, with the Dan Bejar comparison applying to more than just the vocals here. "Aviary" ups the psychedelic ante with more Pet Sounds sounds combined with experimental knob-twiddling and ambient field recordings, evoking the late-60s psychedelic pop era in a way that's inspired but not imitative. If the next Ponies album is full of songs as good as the best of this disc, it will be a masterpiece. (mike.03.06)
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You know what this disc reminds me of most strongly? The scene in The Jerk where Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters are duetting on the beach. Brother-sister duo Camille and Alexander McGregor sing lightly (and a bit off key at times) while Alexander plunks away deftly on an antique acoustic guitar. Occasionally someone taps a bongo or snaps their fingers, and that's about it. The McGregors' South American upbringing shows with a little bit of Latin rhythm and cha-cha tomfoolery. Most of the songs on this 8-song demo are quite precious, though a couple of tracks, "Government Brand" and "Gipirales", have more interesting stories to tell in the lyrics. It's definitely a pleasant little disc, and I'm curious whether a more substantial release from them would lean more in the direction of the simpler, sugary stuff or the more engaging (to me) story-telling stuff. (mike.01.05)
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