Cincinnati indie pop quartet, Pomegranates return two years after, their excellent 2010 offering, One Of Us. The band retains much of the same wistful haze that made their last album work so well, but their dream-pop sound benefits from a more balanced mix this time around; refusing to allow the oozing guitars to blur the vocals. The end result is an album where it is easier to focus on their songwriting and airy vocals, without sacrificing the sugary sense of wonder to their music. The twisting riffs and antsy beat of the opening title-track are familiar, but the clearer view of the achy tenor vocals is welcome. Even the buzzing distorted bass line grumbling through caffeinated "Sisters" give the vocals space to breathe.
The sweet harmonized vocals and syrupy riffs toiling through the opening of "Letters" make for a slow-burn treasure, as it gradually spreads its wings to take off with a gruff bass line, tumbling drums, and snarling guitar; showing off their fantastic pop sensibilities as well as their musicianship. The Bee Gees-esque falsetto in the hook of beat-driven "Passaway" is the cherry on top, with the rumbling bass groove, shimmering disco-laced riffs, and confident, lovestruck verses winning you over long before you get to the gooey center. The unexpected piano-led ballad "Dream", with fantastic falsetto vocals, is a gorgeous romantic gem reminiscent of The Antlers best moments, while the guitar-drenched rambler "Lost Lives" show off their ability to deliver pulse-quickening indie rock. On their dazzling fourth album, Pomegranates grow into the great ideas they have had all along.
Seek - "Passaway", "Letters", "Dream"
For fans of - The Vaccines
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