Polvo + New Feature!

Polvo, one of my favorite noise/math rock bands of the 90s, recently reformed. They're playing a show in Chicago tonight, and based on the YouTube clips of recent shows that are circulating, it will be amazing.

(Sidenote to Chicago readers: Anyone who doesn't have tickets to the Polvo show is required, by default, to go see the equally awesome Tittsworth do it up at Smart Bar. Chicago's main man Willy Joy will also be doing a set. And actually, the mandate goes for anyone with earlier engagements as well because they probably won't get into it until around midnight!)

In honor of the awesomeness guaranteed to occur at the Polvo show, I'd like to unveil a new feature. Closely related to that very unique radio phenomenon known as the "Rock Block," in which several songs by the same band are played in succession, I present you with...

The Pop Concatenation!

Some quick background on the feature:

One of the most overlooked and underappreciated features of albums is the sequencing (i.e. the order of the songs). Track sequencing, at its best, can transform a decent collection of individual songs into an above-average album. Sequencing shapes the flow and rhythm of an album, and keeps you from pressing the Skip button, even if for the simple reason that you expect to hear the next track - an expectation that over time, becomes a desire.

Radiohead is probably the most visible example of a popular band that takes sequencing very seriously. The songs don't really make that much sense on their own. They have to be heard in the context of the album's sequence because they're part of the album's overall mood. Concept albums in general are all about sequencing, because the sequence of the songs is essential for telling a story, depicting a theme, or conveying related messages.

That being said, even for bands that spend a lot of time on sequencing the entire album, there are those unforgettable duos of songs, those one-two punches that you just can't stop listening to. Usually the first track offers something unspeakably great, and then the second track offers something completely different, but equally satisfying.

I'm sure you've encountered many a Pop Concatenation in your day, so I won't bother explaining the concept any more. Instead, I'll give you an example, using Polvo as my example.

Today's concat is from their 1994 EP Celebrate the New Dark Age. Short and sweet, it's actually better than most of their albums.

The first of the duo is track 3, "Tragic Carpet Ride" (how adept are you at wordplay?). It's a loud, heavy jam, and certainly not as carefree as most of the stuff I've been posting, but still a really catchy song for anyone into rock music.

Then comes the real pop treat. Track 4, called "Solitary Set," uses Eastern-influenced portamento guitar riffs to create a great background for some cryptic lyrics. Some cryptic words, some cryptic phrases.

As a bonus, I'll include Polvo's cover of Wall of Voodoo's 80s classic pop hit, "Mexican Radio." This is off a pretty great compilation called Freedom of Choice from 1992 that had indie rockers covering 80s hits. Sonic Youth, Superchunk, Yo La Tengo, and Mudhoney are all represented.

Enjoy!



Polvo - Tragic Carpet Ride

Moments of Pop Bliss:
00:55.18
02:01.89



Polvo - Solitary Set

Moments of Pop Bliss:
00:29.36
00:40.44
00:52.98 - Such nice guitar/vocal harmonies.
01:51.47



Polvo - Mexican Radio

Moments of Pop Bliss:
00:43.24
02:07.08


MySpace: http://myspace.com/polvotheband
Discogs: http://discogs.com/artist/Polvo



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