Innocence

by 
AlbumJan 28 / 201411 songs, 32m 47s
Stoner Rock Psychedelic Rock
Noteable

The band Pontiak are full of quirky components. First, the trio are brothers, raised in Virginia farm country; second, they have a fondness for vintage analog equipment and often record in their farmhouse studio; third, they’ve released 10 records in 10 years, with two in 2008 and two in 2009. They’re a consistent crew, churning out guitar rock built on mountainous riffs and colored with the neon glow of a bygone era (and infused with the teen-spirit scent of another), and the stalwart label Thrill Jockey has released all of their albums. *Innocence* does, however, mark some kind of … *moment* for the brothers, with a trifecta of perfectly balanced production, song style, and clarity all converging neatly into a record that could appeal just as solidly to fans of Sleepy Sun as it could to fans of Mount Carmel. From the muddy grooves of “Innocence” to the acoustic breezes of “Wildfires” through to the neck-breaking denouement of “We’ve Got It Wrong,” the 30 minutes here pack a breathtaking wallop.

6.0 / 10

Though by no means a "comeback" record, the latest from Blue Ridge rockers Pontiak, Innocence, does have a whiff of rejuvenation about it.

7 / 10

Neo-psych garage rock that shakes everything in its wake.

8.5 / 10

For their 10th studio album, Virginia proto-metal shredders Pontiak don't ditch their overarching hard-rock patina.

After more than a decade of exploring different offshoots of '60s psych, acid rock, and sludgy proto-metal-inspired sound, Pontiak arrived at their eighth full-length album, Innocence. Made up of a nice mesh of fine-tuned performances and adventurous production choices, the album follows an evolution of exploratory sounds to territory both heavy and languidly dreamy. The menacing howls that open "Lack Lustre Rush" echo Iggy's savage animal cries on the Stooges' rawest Fun House moments, and quickly blur that album's sultry rock swagger with a more churning acid-metal groove.

Opening with the title track, a Stooges-esque two-minute burst of scuzzy riffs and yelped vocals, this prolific Virginian trio launch into their tenth LP with aplomb.

7.5 / 10

Pontiak, folks. Opener "Innocence" rules, in precisely their nonchalant manner.

6 / 10

70 %

Album Reviews: Pontiak - Innocence