best albums of 2014: #2

pontiak – INNOCENCE (thrill jockey)

the only musical culture i was aware of through most of the 90s was that of stoner rock and other pub bands touring in broken down vans. for all of the 00s, i was out of range of even that and most other direct american influence. for the past four years, i’ve only been further submerged in the remote parts of eastern cascadia. that is why i am only barely conscious of the fact that queens of the stone age became a major label, arena rock band (what the hell?).  needless to say, i never knew about bands like pontiak, even though they are now ten albums into a blistering rock career. thus, i should like to thank the planners of treefort ’14 for scheduling pontiak just before wooden indian burial ground to ensure that i was finally, and properly, introduced.

to instantly become a rabble rouser favorite, a band could, say, begin their show toasting each other to shots of tequila before launching into the most raucous screaming guitars. no wonder they spent most of the rest of the year touring northern europe, where the most appreciative audiences of true garage noise exist.

to create an instant rabble rouser classic, an album could, say, begin with the singer yelling “waaaysted, in the streets!” and launch into the same raw, driving chords they do live. that first song, the title track to the album, which i assume is an ode to tweekers, turns out to be a fair indicator of the album, though things get waaaay better. it is a great kickstarter for lacklustre rush and ghosts, which are the most respectable stoner rock power, reminiscent of nebula’s heyday.

pontiak does let off the throttle though, and shows a softer side, which is where most of their detractors seem to point out flaws. the reviews i’ve read seem either indifferent or flat out opposed to the album’s ballads. i hope those crappy reviewers get paid less than i do, because noble heads and wildfires sound straight out of obscured by clouds sessions. it was said that these ballady songs sounded out of place, though it’s not like the songs are sandwiched in between primal screamers. pontiak breathes out the fury and then settles down. it’s not like, after ten years, a band isn't allowed to relax a bit. and it’s not like listeners need to neurotically eat their own turntables either.

no one who saw pontiak perform it’s the greatest on KEXP would be caught dead saying the ballads suck. listeners that only want the sheer force can rejoice, i suppose, in the fact that side two has only one slow song. pontiak ends we’ve got it wrong with a message, “we know we’re right.” considering i’ve listened to 200+ albums this year and haven’t found anything close to as glorious as this, i am not sure any half-witted critic can make a better record.