Customer Reviews

In Prism [Vinyl]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This record really grows on you with time. I liked it from the moment I heard it, but my appreciation grows with each listen. At this point, it probably ranks as my second favorite Polvo record, after their Celebrate the New Dark Age EP.

I've bought all albums by POLVO thoughout the years and believe this one is their best achievement by far. Some of the tracks subtly allude to sounds and arrangements previously heard but that does not curb creativity from the band and excitement for the fan. I particularly enjoyed the guitars and the work on drums. Their reunion, after such a long silence, was really worth it. A mighty comeback.

It's good to have Polvo back. I had just been having my own Polvo listening revival when I heard the announcement that "In Prism" was being recorded. While the arc of "Shapes" and "This Eclipse" is interrupted by 12 years, they have picked up the scattered shards and reassembled them admirably -- if not where they left off, at least in a seemingly very focused place.

"In Prism" is a passionate record, heavier and with knottier guitars than the often detuned mystical mathy-ness of Polvo's past work on Touch and Go Records. "In Prism" is even a little less angular, riding grooves longer than records like "Exploded Drawing" or "Celebrate The New Dark Age" would have. While some of the intricacy going on is dominated (and thereby sacrificed) by the thickly-mixed guitars and drums, this is still a great record from a highly underrated band.

The unusual guitar interplay is still very present, you just have to listen a little harder for it underneath their newly energized, trademark slippery riffs.

This album is sick. I can't stand it, it is so good. Water, in a wasteland. Seriously, I have been starving for this; Jesus in a desert, and that's all you'll ever hear me say, ever, in that vein. Give me more -- I can't stand it.

I've been listening to this for a while now and, as hard as it is for me to believe, it has dethroned "Celebrate the New Dark Age" as Polvo's finest work. The hard-hitting angular momentum of "Beggar's Bowl" and the lush dreamscape of "A Link in the Chain" are probably the two standouts for me, but the whole thing is epic. I'm really pleased that Polvo is back on the scene and this album proves that they still had their best work ahead of them at the time of their prior demise.

This is without a doubt polvo's best record since Celebrate The New Dark Age.
If your're a fan you need this now, if not, you should be after hearing it. Beggar's Bowl Is the standout track, it's like a freight train full of dynamite and you're standing on the tracks. The band is tight as ever, and writing better than ever. Do yourself a favor and check these guys out live this year if you can. The new songs sound even more amazing live.

I would agree with another reviewer that this album does grow on you like crazy. All of the songs are great some of polvo's best. However, the recording is just awful. As a recording engineer, I can't belive this record would make it to press like this. For about 90% of the album the vocals are mixed so insanely low that you're constantly struggling to hear them. The recording overall has far too much compression on it which causes the drums to constantly swell and pulsate everytime a cymbal is hit. The hi hats are the loudest thing on the recording for much of the record. Not like Polvo were ever known for their great recording production, but at least the older records were mixed properly. It's a real shame since this could be a great album, but makes it just okay. The good stuff is that the guitar work is awesome, a total guitar album. The new drummer sounds good too, but would sound better if the drums were recorded better. In this day and age were recording gear is so cheap and availible, nobody should ever have a recording that sounds like this.

I love the album, hate the recording.

One of my favorite bands of all time came back from the netherworld to make their most polished album ever. Polvo was a great band: always rocking, occasionally haunting, frequently jarring. No one could play as beautifully out of tune as they could.

Then, in 1997, it was sadly over. No more exquisite noise.

Now, twelve years later they are back, and as good as ever, maybe better. In Prism may not be their best album; I'll wait a couple of years to make that judgment. But it is their most refined and accessible record, and doesn't sacrifice too much of the odd tonality that makes them unique. There is not a bad song here, and Beggar's Bowl is as great as Tilebreaker, which is saying a lot. I say to Polvo, "More please." You belong in the pantheon with King Crimson, may you last as long.

I'm a big Polvo fan from my time spent in North Carolina in the mid-1990s. I wasn't expecting much from this release, but I was pleasantly surprised. Polvo has retained their distinctive, quirky sound, but the songs on this set are heavier and more focused, especially compared to their output in the late 1990s, just before the band dissolved. Previously my favorite Polvo release had been Celebrate the New Dark Age, but that might be changing now.

This is an excellent release by Polvo. Much better production then I am used to for them. A really nice improvement to have the vocals more accessible in the mix. Initially they picked up where Sonic Youth left the ball ( when punk broke? ) after Daydream Nation and Goo. They prove once again it can be taken yet, farther. Much more dynamic and sculpted songwriting. On first listen had to hear tracks 1, 5 7 and 8 repeatedly but the whole album grew on me on the 3rd listen.