Man it Feels like Space Again stands apart both from their influences and from that other Perth group. That it also happens to be their best album is just a bonus.
Even at their most narcotic, however – certain woozy moments recall Mercury Rev’s stargazing wonder – it’s clear that Pond’s shining brilliance stems from the hips rather than the subconscious: simply perfect pop.
Of course, there are elements of Man It Feels Like Space Again which hardly surprise, there are thick swathes of analogue synths, wiggly guitar textures, drugged-up '60s vocals, but, from each track to the next, the album is still able to confound and delight in equal measure.
Feels Like Space is a step forward, though where Pond is headed remains anybody's guess.
While I’m happy to see Pond really taking off as their own band separate from Tame Impala, I can’t help to feel nostalgic for the more composed times of Beard, Wives, Denim, when they had a little more focus and a little less water balloons.
On their eighth studio album, the Australian group’s psychedelia finds its ecstasy via movement rather than meditation. Or it does at first.
Some really great moments on this album (particularly Zond and Medicine Hat, which are peak heavy Psych), but it's not as consistent as I'd like, and hasn't aged as well as I'd hoped. Still very much worth a listen though.
Waiting Around for Grace: 90 ★
Elvis' Flaming Star: 80 ★
Holding Out for You: 70
Zond: 60
Heroic Shart: 60
Sitting Up on Our Crane: 80
Outside Is the Right Side: 70
Medicine Hat: 80
Man It Feels Like Space Again: 90 ★
Average: 75,56 / 100
Favourite Tracks:
Waiting Around for Grace - 84
Holding Out for You - 84
Medicine Hat - 84
1 | Waiting Around for Grace 5:09 | 88 |
2 | Elvis' Flaming Star 3:25 | 79 |
3 | Holding Out for You 4:43 | 93 |
4 | Zond 4:04 | 87 |
5 | Heroic Shart 4:04 | 76 |
6 | Sitting Up on Our Crane 6:00 | 93 |
7 | Outside Is the Right Side 5:09 | 83 |
8 | Medicine Hat 4:07 | 90 |
9 | Man It Feels Like Space Again 8:21 | 91 |