Quarterlifeparty

For this track review i turned to our in-house Polvo expert Casey Fighorn:

“Beggar’s Bowl”, from the reunited/rejuvenated Polvo’s forthcoming In Prism (September 8th) disc, is an obvious return to form. Perhaps it takes a ten year hiatus to get you back to what you do best.

The song is far more reminiscent of the band’s early, Merge Records era recordings than its latter-day post-rockier output on the sadly defunct Touch & Go. Fitting, considering the band has resigned to the venerable Chapel Hill based label.

While not wearing the Eastern influences as prominently on its sleeve as the older output, the new song features the same kind of strangely balanced guitar acrobatics of “Today’s Active Lifestyles” or “Celebrate the New Dark Age” era tunes like “Thermal Treasure,” or “Every Holy Shroud” only with way better production. The drones, and ethereally delayed lines are still there. While original drummer Eddie Watkins was no slouch, ex-Cherry Valence member Brian Quast’s addition to this song is punchier, sharper, clearly its own contribution to the reformed band’s sound.

Guitarist/vocalist, Ash Bowie’s new lyrics also hearken back stylistically to the good old days, less concrete, more cryptic in-joke.

What this song does carry over from those last two records is a heaviness, and a seriousness that wasn’t there early on, but totally in a good way. You can tell these dudes are having fun making music again, and they’re clearly bringing the rock.

Can’t wait to hear the whole thing in September.

Polvo – Begga’rs Bowl (MP3)

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