Customer Reviews

Electric Rock Music

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Ass Ponys are not for the timid fan of easy-listening pop. This is brilliantly written, musically and lyrically challenging, thoroughly American music. It's quirky yet very grounded, playful while exploring the light and dark of life with eyes wide open. The Ponys deserve to be thought of in the same way that Neil Young, Paul Westerberg, Steve Earle, and Lucinda Williams are...yep, it's that strong. And don't stop with Electric Rock Music. The Known Universe and Lohio are equally wonderful. Try listening to "Kung Fu Reference" from Lohio and see if you can name another song that wraps such a poignant story, told so poetically and sung and played so beautifully, inside such a strong melody. Chuck, please write more. Ponys, we love ya.

The Ass Ponys write songs that capture beautifully the lives of the marginalized and strange characters of Middle America. I listened to this album at a CD store listening kiosk many years ago, intrigued by the gall of someone choosing a band name so commercially non-viable. I listened to the opening track "Grim" and rushed to the counter to buy the album. I knew that anyone that could so simply and clearly capture the bored despair of a jilted lover that lost his girl to her religious beliefs and sum it up with one word, "Grim," had a true talent for lyrics. I have since become a huge Ass Ponys fan, as well as lead singer/songwriter Chuck Cleaver's subsequent band Wussy. The music is nice solid Alt-country/Mid-American rock, but the lyrics are what makes it all shine so wonderfully.

Every song on the album deals with flawed characters that are hard not to love. From Little Bastard, to Earth to Grandma, and even the goofy Banlon Shirt, each story or character sketch is perfectly spun.

If there is any justice in this world, Chuck Cleaver will go down in history as a great American literary icon of the Short Story (in song form), along the likes of Flannery O'Conner, Eudora Welty, and John Cheever. He is that good. Though some people may have trouble getting used to his high pitched singing voice in the Ass Ponys, it is worth it. His singing with Wussy is a bit more standard in timbre.

There is not a bad song on here. Be sure to pay attention to the lyrics after you calm down from the eclectic sound of this band... And don't forget to pick up "The Known Universe" which is possibly even better than this release!

This CD had been on my shelves unlistened to for probably two years. Mistake. The Ass Ponys -- as you would expect from their name -- tell great, gritty stories of characters marginalized from society, of hard scrabble lives that are better than the alternative, of couples in bliss (Blushing Bride) and despair (Otter Slide), and of grandmothers with bizarre knicknacks. These stories come accompanied by country rock guitar playing with moments of fuzzed up Daniel Lanois-type production (see Peanut 93). And lead singer Chuck Cleaver's high harsh voice sometimes takes a sudden turn to unexpected tenderness. Ass Ponys may have a narrow musical niche, but it's a very good one indeed.

This CD introduced me to the Ponys, after hearing "Little Bastard" get airplay on my then-cool local FM station. (yeah, I know it took me 9 years to write this review ;-) I quickly fell in love with their goofy lyrics and catchy instrumentation. I remember laughing out loud as I listened to the CD pre-purchase as "Earth To Grandma" came on. That clinched it! Every number is a gem! Get it!

This is a fantastic CD! The musicianship is first rate, and the lyrics tell tales about a variety of true American characters and experiences.

Along the same lines as Beck, these are some of the most literate guys out there.