Review Summary: A triumph that plays on the analytical and nostalgic itches of humanity
If you were to ask any music fan alive in the 60’s about what made The Beatles so successful, they’d tell you that the British music group struck gold, possibly by accident. This was due to their discovery of a foolproof formula that was implemented in nearly all of their songs. Many may chalk that up to laziness, especially in today’s counter-culture to pop music, and it isn’t out of the question. Due to its undeniable charm, this formula quickly caught on, but it also attracted musicians like Frank Zappa, who challenged these norms and still gained success. Somewhere in the middle, though, is where Ariel Pink comes in. In Pom Pom, The abrasiveness and exploration of Zappa is coupled with the charm and great hooks of artists like The Beach Boys, all while utilizing pop tropes both brand new and old. What results is a challenging, diverse, and nostalgic full-length that is not to be missed.
From the first few tracks on this album alone, we’re able to realize that Ariel is still a wonderfully competent songwriter. The first two tracks create a juxtaposition of a cheerful celebration of self-expression (Plastic Raincoats In The Pig Parade) and an unrelenting satire of cosmetic beauty trends and synthpop (White Freckles). It’s rather fitting that these two songs capture polar opposites in more than one sense, and it’s evident that Ariel can’t resist it. Take the unapologetic use of a 7/8 time signature in the noisy bridge in White Freckles for example, right before returning to the chillaxed instrumental of the verse. The initial impression is that Ariel just doesn’t care, but in actuality, he’s trying very hard to create something special, and the work pays off.
The dense instrumentation and sporadic mayhem reaches its peak at the song Dinosaur Carebears, an unstoppable powerhouse of way too many ideas thrown into a blender that somehow form something (slightly) coherent. Not Enough Violence on the other hand is a lovely utilization of synths that creates a lo-fi masterpiece. It’s a shining example of Ariel’s signature lyrics mixed with his ear for production.
What makes Pom Pom a triumph isn’t the quirkiness or unpredictability more often found in Ariel Pink’s earlier releases. Rather, it’s a statement on how to constantly stimulate the listener while providing them enough catchy songwriting to ensure that it isn’t leaving our memory any time soon.
