Customer Reviews

Natural Thing

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm a big Poi fan. I've been a big Poi fan since I saw them 10 years ago. So of course I snapped this up as soon as I could. What a disappointment! Other than "Jealous," which is pure Poi pleasure, this album totally lacks the infectious groove thang that's kept me coming back year after year. In fact, it's a mushy pseudo-disco mess. What happened after Pomegranate, their best album so far? Wake up, Frank, we need you!

As a diehard fan of Poi Dog, I do have to admit that I was kind of surprised when I first heard "Natural Thing". Don't get me wrong, I liked the album, but it was not how I generally picture Poi to sound. Like their previous albums, Poi Dog has pumped out songs with tons of energy, but they were lacking the incredible lyrics that you're accustomed to. It turned out to be the most mellow of their albums. Although I have to admit "Jealous", "Natural Thing", and "Berry" proved to be awesome songs. I know that front-man, Frank Orrall is pushing the "new" band into a different direction than before, but they still know how to put on one hell of a show! Overall, I enjoyed "Natural Thing", but I like their old stuff(Volo Volo, PDP, and Wishing...)better. Nonetheless, it's still Poi Dog, and they still rock.

I recall PDPs earlier hits on the radio in the early 90s, and thought the band had disappeared, so I was suprised to hear Jealous on the radio...a "comeback" effort? I decided to give the band a shot and bought Natural Thing. I was floored. This was one of the best CDs I've heard in the last three years at least. An outstanding interpretation and synthesis of different musical styles with a strong "soul" groove to it. The music is very upbeat, especially Ta Bouche Es Tabou. Every song is excellent, even the instrumentals. Ive collected some of the earlier Poi stuff (going backward) so I can see how the band evolved and how some of the earlier fans might not appreciate the direction. But this is one hell of a band and one hell of an album. You cant go wrong with it.

Yes, Poi Dog Pondering has changed radically since their first couple of releases. Natural Thing seems to be a natural progression in their style since Pomegranate, which is my favorite PDP release to date. Natural Thing has even further adopted techno and European influences to create music so versitile that you can dance to it or leave it on as background music while you work--both of which I do continually. "That's the Way Love Is," "Jealous," and the French mix of "Ta Bouche Est Taboo" are great songs that I never tire of, and the other, more ambient offerings are compelling. While fans of early PDP music might not like the direction the group has taken, if you like their releases since Volo Volo, you'll love this!

When i saw that this album only got 4 and a half stars, i felt compelled to review it. I've heard much backlash from Poi fans about this album and Frank's refusal to play anything from Poi's first two albums. I think the reason that many fans dislike this album is the fact that humans are creatures of habit and automatically hate change, even if it is for the better.

The thing that kept me a fan of Poi for over five years is their ability to grow. So many bands do the same things over and over again, and they get repetitious and lose the initial excitement. This album is anything but, and i respect the band's ingenuity.

Even with the changes, the spirit is the same. It still sounds like Poi, and it still gives you chills every time you listen to it. If you've never heard of Poi Dog Pondering, you have now, so go buy this and any other album you can find. Oh, and make sure to see them live, it is and incredible experience.

Hey, how did Pat Metheny and Weather Report end up on my Poi Dog disc? Oh, wait, that must be the natural thing it's named after. Because it's not natural for your first supposedly new music (not counting a live and remix disc) in three years to be a collection of rehashed, tripped-out, progressive jazz and cover songs. That said, Natural Thing is still a lot better than almost anything released commercially recently. It'll make for excellent background music at summer parties and is easy enough to tap your feet along to when you're reading a book or driving along mindlessly. Beautiful To Meet You builds up nicely and Jealous is vintage Poi circa Pomegranate. Come Together is a uninspired cover better left to Primal Scream, Ta Bouche Est Tabou is a novel way to learn French and Diva, while entirely danceable, was probably best served on Electrique Plummagram. I appreciate Poi's independence and adventurous spirit, but I prefer more personal ideas and insight and less intereptation. Ultimately, I'm sure I'll enjoy the disc, I'm just not feeling five-star about it quite yet.

As you may or may not know, pdp is pretty much a cult band. For reasons I have yet to figure out, they just never really caught on with a mass audience -- except here in Chicago where they could run for mayor and win. They've become SO popular, in fact, that I quit going to see them live 'cause the crowds are just too great (Well, truth be told, they're not all that great: too drunk, too rude, too loud -- often not paying a bit of attention to the wonderful show being provided on up on stage but screaming and hollering nonetheless).They started off as pretty much a good time 'hippie' type band and that's when I first ran across them. Ah, the sheer JOY of their music -- kind of a Lovin' Spoonful for the late 80s/early 90s. They'd come on stage (or out into the streets!) and simply entertain you with a sweetness and exuberance you couldn't believe still existed in those nihilistic times. Then they became a bit more polished and their music gained textures and dimensions. Then they discovered techno/world/dance rhythms and that's when the audiences began to build. (Personal bias: I like the early stuff myself, but some things like 'God's Gallipoli' are extremely powerful).Having said that, I don't know what these legions of poi 'pounders' are going to think about the new cd. They've evolved yet again and I can't imagine those rowdy fans of recent times are going to embrace the new sound. It's so....er....jazzy! Yes, they still rock, but many of the songs sound like they stepped into the Wayback Machine and are revisiting the 70s. Can you say Boz Scaggs circa 'Silk Degrees'? But the real pleasure in the new sound lies in the instrumentals (and there are indeed a great deal of instrumental passages on 'Natural Thing). They still have a dancey groove, but seem more reflective, relaxing and remind me (now here's an obscure reference for ya) of 'Peaceful World' by the Rascals (a 20+ minute trip from the early 70s that remains one of my favorites). My favorite example is the instrumental 'Diva' (recorded live if you can believe anything this lush was done live!), but even the instrumental passages in the other songs are oh-so-tasty.(This won't surprise anyone who's experienced Frank's side project, Palm Fabric Orchestra).So do I recommend this cd? I'm pretty stingy with 5 star reviews (notice how everyone gives everything 5 stars?!), so I can't give this that exhaulted rating. But I definitely recommend it -- IF you're up for a change of pace and willing to allow a group of grow and expand. This cd is probably not for everybody. It's pretty sophisticated stuff and miles away from 'Liquid White Light" and 'Electrique Plummagram'. It will make you want to move, but maybe not dance. It's sensual, not sexy. It's....well...it's Poi taking yet another step into tomorrow.And what will tomorrow bring? It's pretty well established that this is the last pdp recording by the current lineup and that Frank is ready to move on with other musicians (Dave/Max don't leave!!!) to explore new musical territories. If it is indeed the end of pdp as we know them, they are going out on top -- and don't you wish we could say that about so many other bands who should have quit while they were ahead?!Now turn the lights down low and enjoy....

THIS is the CD that hooked me into Poi 6 years ago. I just got back from Chicago seeing them on stage live for the first time. What a classy, well put together combination of sounds that can appeal to just about everyone being that every song is a bit different from the next. I have collected just about all of the Poi CDs and was thrilled with their show - definitely worth the trip. I recommend starting with this CD and if you like the sounds buy forwardly not previously as their sound is much hippier from the "olden days". Both of their live sets released are in my player for months at a time. This is a band that just keeps getting better and better. Thank you Frank and in and out members for your contribution of beautiful sound! A real fan from PA loves you!

I discovered this album by accident and loved it immediately. I understand this isn't their typical sound. Older fans may be put off. Whatever. All I know is that heard cold with no expectations, this album slowly reveals itself to be a magnificent work of art.

...and okay, okay, the track with the mellow rapping on it sucks. But it's less than three minutes long and easily skipped...

I was given this CD as a gift and have played it everyday at least once, for the last four months! It is an outstanding musical experience.