Customer Reviews

Celebration Castle

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I absolutely love the ponys and i love this album. It is much better than 'laced with romance' in my opinion. The songs are more solid and the overall album time has been shortened. The first CD was too long for me, and i always had a hard time listening to the entire thing all the way through. Not with this one, it's a near perfect length, and i don't think i will ever get bored with it. Day after day went by where i would have a different favorite song from this. First it was 'glass conversation', then the amazing 'i'm with you', and it seems like every song has something completely different to offer and there is something new to pick out each time you listen. This album is not very groundbreaking by any means, but it just sounds fantastic, especially at loud volumes, and is a great CD to just shut your mind off to. Hands down one of the best things i've heard in a while. Music doesn't get much better than this.

A quiet little (in terms of attention) rock album from a deftly talented Chicago garage quartet. Celebration Castle is a consistently satisfying album that grows on you with each listen. If you like noisy rockers like Sonic youth and yelping vocals a la Richard Hell, then The Ponys may be right up your alley. Granted, Sonic youth mentions can be ubiquitous in the modern indie-rock setting but I mention them to try and give a little context. The band actually crafts their own blend of guitar heavy jams. Give this album a chance past the first one or two spins. It's a shame that Ian Adams left the band after this record.

This album doesn't quite reach the heights of their fantastic debut "Laced with Romance," but the album still has some standout tracks. "She's Broken," "Today," and "Get Black" are all fine rock tunes, and the poppy "I'm With You" should be one of the year's standout rock songs.

This album is the last for keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist Ian Adams, and it will be interesting to see where their sound goes from here. Ian was seemingly the one responsible for the groups pop influence, and that resulted in some of the group's strongest work (such as "Fall Inn," from their debut album.

One problem with the disc is the length, at just 10 songs. Since the album was recorded so quickly (and seemingly released before Laced with Romance ever really got a full push), it's disappointing that there are only 10 songs.

This is a fine pop/rock album, but Laced with Romance is a better starting point.

The Pony's "Celebration Castle" could've been a great album if it weren't for the singer - he's just terrible (reminiscent of Action Action's singer). Every song here has SO much potential musically (especially the first one), and it's extremely disappointing when the singer kicks in to destroy the song (you'll see what I mean). I don't really see too many people liking him (and I have a VERY open mind - just look at my other reviews). They have one other singer who is MUCH better (he appears on "Shadow Box"), and if he sang the rest of the album it would've gotten a "4.5" easily. I would've given this a "2.5", but since every song is at least interesting musically (and the cover is kind've cool) I'll be nice and give it a "3". Recommended only for those interested in the music and don't mind the singer.

Highlights include:
"Shadow Box" (it's decent)
everything - if you like the singer