Customer Reviews

Practice of Joy Before Death

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

 

 

In the frenzy that consumed the pacific northwest during the early nineties, Sub Pop were proclaiming that Pond were going to be their next Nirvana, their next big thing. After a glimpse at their brilliance on their selftitled album, Pond retreated, and released an incredible album on their own terms. Fewer hooks than their previous album, but an incredible example of what a great band can do when it expands it's horizon and experiments.

Sadly, Pond disbanded in early '99 after producing three memorable albums. Their second release, The Practice Of Joy Before Death, was released in '95 two years after their eponymous debut. Songwriting is split between guitarist Charlie Campbell and bassist Chris Brady, who also share vocal duties. Never have two voices harmonized so well together. Attempting to describe Pond's sound (psychedelic pop is often used)is just pointless. If you haven't heard it for yourself then you're just missing out.

During the mid-90s it was virtually impossible for any alt-rock to slip through the cracks, which makes it even more amazing that this '95 release never grabbed huge indi-label popularity. Pond's self-titled debut rode the wake of SubPop's Nirvana publicity rush, and rightfully so--it was a good album, yet no formitable predecessor for what was to come. With "Practice of Joy", Pond borrowed the noise pop of our friends in the Southern Hemispere (mainly the New Zeland scene) and melded it beautifully with the pure pop which had made their first album instantly ear enticing. The result are songs like "Sideroad" & "Glass Sparkles in Their Hair", perfect examples of what occurs when two excellent songwriters and innovative musicians meld talents together to try something close enough to the edge to feel the rush of looking over, but close enough to safety that you never need to check your footing. Unfortunately, Pond never quite made it past this triumph. A major label squabble with Sony produced a slightly above average third release and a regretable break-up, with each of the three members heading off on their own ways. The best we can do is grab up this album before it is permenently out of print.

This was Pond's second release of the three that spanned their all too brief career. It is quite experimental and a little less accessible than their self titled first release, but certainly worth checking out. The hooks, the melodies and songwriting, all synonomous with Pond, are presented. Sideroad and Glass Sparkles in Their Hair are the true gems on this offering, but it is quite good from start to finish. Also recommended: Pond's self titled and Rock Collection.

The album's title has always been one of my all-time favorites. but there's more death than joy here. I have to credit other reviewers for turning me back to this CD--like many Pond fans, I shelved this "difficult second album" in favor of the band's more derivative but "accessible" first and the brighter texture of their last, "Rock Collection." (I've also reviewed these.) Listening to it a decade on, the Eastern-tinged, knarled, and backwardish melodies still lurk appealingly behind a more somber surface opacity. It's not an album made for easy listening, but the arrangements, heard carefully on a good system, reveal care and attention to solid, aggressive, but poignant and wistful (see those often thoughtful and fresh lyrics) assortments of sounds. It's almost meditative, despite the harshness at times.

The handwritten notes are hard to decipher, but this album, remaining in print at a bargain price, deserves to keep finding a wider audience. The mix thickens, the noises are oblique, the ambiance more irritable, but in the post-Cobain gloom, these Portlanders show that other Northwest talent could outlive the hype. Spread the word, and support this now long-gone trio.

I BOUGHT THIS CD BRAND NEW FOR 2 DOLLARS SOLY BECAUSE I LOVE NIRVANA, AND THESE GUYS WERE ON SUBPOP. I GOT IT HOME, LISTENED TO IT FOR A MINUTE, GOT BORED, AND WENT OUT. A FEW LATER, I GAVE IT A SECOND CHANCE. IT REALLY GREW ON ME TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO PUT IT DOWN FOR A BIT CUZ MY WIFE WAS GETTING JEALOUS OF THE BOND BETWEEN THE CD AND ME. GOOD MUSIC FOR A LAZY DAY. I LIKE TO VEG OUT AND LISTEN TO THESE GUYS. IT DOESNT GET ME PUMPED, BUT IT DOES GIVE A HELLUVA LISTEN.

This is a band from my city.Friends told me - You have to listen to this - they gave me two cds by Pond -
I've been so disgusted after them - the first was not so bad - but this - this is just a commercial music played from good players(it seems) - but the fact is that this sound is boring,pop and absolutely commercial.For example,you have to compare a band as Gravel or as Skin Yard or as My Name with one as Pond(or Gnome) - Pond is a nightmare in front of them.