Modular

At first glance, the title of Australian band Pond’s new album Hobo Rocket seems a bit odd. But throughout the album’s 34 minutes, it becomes clear that the wild psychedelia and stomping rock and roll is deserving of that name. If there’s any nervousness about following last year’s Beard, Wives, Denim and the success of Tame Impala – whose live band features Pond members – they don’t show it. While it’s shorter than Beard, Pond wastes little time. There are psychedelic meanderings that bring to mind Flaming Lips and Pink Floyd, stomping Led Zeppelin-like guitar riffs, and drums and spacey David Bowie-like atmosphere. One of the unique things about Pond is that they’re able to shift gears mid-song, such as during “Giant Tortoise,” which pairs psychedelia with true rock and roll.