Tony Pascarella
06/01/06, 11:12 PM
Pony Up - Make Love to the Judges with Your Eyes
Release Date: May 9, 2006
Record Label: Dim Mak Records
“Dance for me,” implores Laura Wills, one of Pony Up’s two vocal sirens. “I like to watch.” The Montreal-based quartet isn’t your typical glamorous pop group. With beautiful songs akin to Tegan & Sara (their folk-themed north of the border neighbors) and all the decorum of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pony Up’s debut full-length Make Love to the Judges With Your Eyes is sure to warrant a few awkward glances and even more enthralled smiles from newfound fans.
Formed back in 2002, the band has been signed to Dim Mak Records for quite some time. For those who are having trouble placing the name, Dim Mak is the current or former home for awesome bands such as The Rakes, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Ben Lee, and the Blood Brothers, among others. With songs such as “Only Feelgood,” a flagship track on the album that drips with an amalgam of accordion and raw vocals, the ladies of Pony Up do everything in their power to keep you addicted to their sweet indie-pop tunes. The band doesn't associate themselves strictly with bouncy songs, however. “The First Waltz” plods along mournfully. “I don’t even know why I’m trying,” singer-guitarist Sarah Moundroukas laments. “Pastime Endeavour” is a shimmering bit of idealism—endearing and relatable. Unfortunately, that does not hold true for every single song on the album. “Lines Bleed” trudges on for a few minutes too long and at times seems out of place on this mostly upbeat record. Luckily, it closes the album and is easily skippable for those who feel the urge to do so. If you are a fan of Pretty Girls Make Graves, Pony Up should also be right up your alley. Both “The Truth About Cats and Dogs (Is That They Die)” and “Possible Harm” sound like they could have come from either Élan Vital or Good Health. The former is keyboard-charged with an infectious chorus while the latter focuses on twisted yet lovable lyrics.
There are a few songs that don’t remain as memorable as others on the album, and it hurts the overall lasting power of Make Love to the Judges With Your Eyes just a bit. However, Pony Up’s lead vocal duo of Laura Wills and Sarah Moundroukas oozes charisma and most importantly—talent. Effectively creating an album of this caliber (with the help of producer Howard Ian Bilerman, noted for his work with The Arcade Fire) tells me that Pony Up have a lengthy, promising career in front of them. Give these fine songstresses a chance to win you over by adding Make Love to the Judges With Your Eyes to your CD collection. I guarantee these soon-to-be-crowned queens of Canadian pop will be one of your more memorable music purchases this year.
Buy Make Love to the Judges with Your Eyes on iTunes (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=PjIvm57kicI&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos. apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStor e.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%25 3D202657454%2526id%253D202657446%25 26s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 )
01.Dance For Me
02.The Truth About Cats and Dogs (Is That They Die)
03.Possible Harm
04.The Best Offence
05.Only Feelgood
06.What’s Free Is Yours
07.Ships
08.The First Waltz
09.Pastime Endeavor
10.Make, Model, #
11.Lines Bleed
Release Date: May 9, 2006
Record Label: Dim Mak Records
“Dance for me,” implores Laura Wills, one of Pony Up’s two vocal sirens. “I like to watch.” The Montreal-based quartet isn’t your typical glamorous pop group. With beautiful songs akin to Tegan & Sara (their folk-themed north of the border neighbors) and all the decorum of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pony Up’s debut full-length Make Love to the Judges With Your Eyes is sure to warrant a few awkward glances and even more enthralled smiles from newfound fans.
Formed back in 2002, the band has been signed to Dim Mak Records for quite some time. For those who are having trouble placing the name, Dim Mak is the current or former home for awesome bands such as The Rakes, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Ben Lee, and the Blood Brothers, among others. With songs such as “Only Feelgood,” a flagship track on the album that drips with an amalgam of accordion and raw vocals, the ladies of Pony Up do everything in their power to keep you addicted to their sweet indie-pop tunes. The band doesn't associate themselves strictly with bouncy songs, however. “The First Waltz” plods along mournfully. “I don’t even know why I’m trying,” singer-guitarist Sarah Moundroukas laments. “Pastime Endeavour” is a shimmering bit of idealism—endearing and relatable. Unfortunately, that does not hold true for every single song on the album. “Lines Bleed” trudges on for a few minutes too long and at times seems out of place on this mostly upbeat record. Luckily, it closes the album and is easily skippable for those who feel the urge to do so. If you are a fan of Pretty Girls Make Graves, Pony Up should also be right up your alley. Both “The Truth About Cats and Dogs (Is That They Die)” and “Possible Harm” sound like they could have come from either Élan Vital or Good Health. The former is keyboard-charged with an infectious chorus while the latter focuses on twisted yet lovable lyrics.
There are a few songs that don’t remain as memorable as others on the album, and it hurts the overall lasting power of Make Love to the Judges With Your Eyes just a bit. However, Pony Up’s lead vocal duo of Laura Wills and Sarah Moundroukas oozes charisma and most importantly—talent. Effectively creating an album of this caliber (with the help of producer Howard Ian Bilerman, noted for his work with The Arcade Fire) tells me that Pony Up have a lengthy, promising career in front of them. Give these fine songstresses a chance to win you over by adding Make Love to the Judges With Your Eyes to your CD collection. I guarantee these soon-to-be-crowned queens of Canadian pop will be one of your more memorable music purchases this year.
Buy Make Love to the Judges with Your Eyes on iTunes (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=PjIvm57kicI&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos. apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStor e.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%25 3D202657454%2526id%253D202657446%25 26s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 )
01.Dance For Me
02.The Truth About Cats and Dogs (Is That They Die)
03.Possible Harm
04.The Best Offence
05.Only Feelgood
06.What’s Free Is Yours
07.Ships
08.The First Waltz
09.Pastime Endeavor
10.Make, Model, #
11.Lines Bleed