Polynya / Polynya
Album: Polynya   Collection:General
Artist:Polynya   Added:Oct 2008
Label:Self-Release  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2008-12-07 Pull Date: 2009-02-08
Week Ending: Feb 1
Airplays: 2

Recent Airplay
1. Jan 28, 2009: Hand Wash in Coleslaw
Cardboard
2. Jan 27, 2009: Power Hour
Sweatshop

Album Review
Adam Pearson
Reviewed 2009-01-27
Self-described ‘art-rock,’ ‘indie,’ electronic.’ Production is a little weak on this effort; over-emphasizing the wrong components at times and under-emphasizing what could be forefront. Both female band members handle vocals, and have very similar voices. One of them sort of sounds like 90s pop artist Natalie Merchant, if that rings a bell. The band has pop sensibility built into them, and tries to structure everything poppy, but do not find any incredible hooks. As the record progresses, the style reveals itself to be less pop-oriented, but interestingly experimental pop. The drums are probably the best illustration of musicianship here. No FCC violations noted.

1. Uptempo number, sounds sort of Western-y, with organs on top of complex percussion, guitars, mix of female, male vocals (2:58)
2. Guitars sound like Death Cab, organs/electronics, and driving drums, vocals are drowning a bit, interesting, poppy interludes, fake-out ending (4:11)
3. Driving, groovy drums and strong bass line, swirling guitars (3:47)
4. Piano, guitars lead this song around a full band hook, and what sounds like an accordion (3:21)
*5. Organs, weird skitterings open the song with guitar part, percussion builds on top of this interesting, more ambient, wandering effort (4:25)
6. Piano, guitar intro, reversing effects on guitars (3:40)
7. Interesting percussion, vocals, and guitar effects make this a relatively trippy song, cool guitar solo (2:42)
8. Electronic textures give the song a very interesting feel, male vocals added, sort of a bass solo in bridge, bridge->chorus transition is a little forced (3:22)
9. Poppy, driving drums, and solid bass line frame this solid electro-pop song, with processed vocals, great guitar effects, synths, hand claps (4:06)
*10. Synth and bass powered dark piece, high tempo, rollicking rocker, effective pop song, about a sweatshop? (2:40)
11. Piano, interesting guitar parts interweave with a solid, rhythm section, smooth female vocals walk around this dreamy piece (3:01)
12. Slow guitar intro and electronics form melodic backdrop to the tense, tight rhythm, nice catchy bridge (3:42)
13. Strong drum intro, electronic touches, echoing vocals, distorted guitar and fuzz bass hold tune in place, bubbly, watery electronic flourishes, a commonly used vocal melody is used, last minute is electronic/synth experimentation(5:50)


Track Listing
1. Old West   7. Black Cherry
2. Without A Trace   8. War Boat
3. Tarantula   9. Cubicle
4. Where Am I?   10. Sweatshop
5. Paper Planes   11. Right Brain
6. Cardboard   12. Essy Persson
  13. Islands