Review #153: The Pods - The Pods (EP) (2009)

THE PODS (EP)

Year: 2009

Genre: Punk Rock
Label: Sun Moon and Talia Records
Tracks: 6
Length: 14 Minutes
Style: Happy/Emotional
My Rating: 6/8

The Pods are a punk rock band from Phoenix, Arizona. The group formed around 2007, and there's not a whole ton of a back-story about the band that I'm aware of, but they're influenced by a lot of good bands. Their style is sort of reminiscent of 1970s punk/new wave, with a little bit of a "garage" element, maybe... so I shall review them. So I now shall review them. Right... NOW. Just kidding. How abouttt................................ NOW!

1. In the End
There's a lead progression over some quieter chords... Jackie's singing style is pretty laid-back sounding, but sometimes she yells n' stuff. A little more produced than the demo version they had on the page a year ago... more vocal effects and stuff. The song is still pretty good, though.

2. Damaged Goods
In the beginning, there's some pretty cool lead guitar going on. I really like the beat. Great melody. There's a chorus where the singer just goes "ya-da-da-da-da-di"... a nod to the Dada movement, perhaps? Pfft! Hahahahaha. Yup, good riff and beat.

3. Darkwave
Wasn't "darkwave" a sub-genre of gothic new wave in the '80s? What the hell. Yeah, I like this song... as the title suggests, the song is a little darker-sounding than the two tracks before it. There are neat little lead tones floating around in the background... like little birdies or something. Good vocals in the chorus section. There's a mid-section with a faster beat and more quiet noise in the background. Then there's a part with a cool riff that goes real well with the lead guitar, and then the song returns to a final verse before ending. Totally one of the best songs on the album, and it's pretty sad-sounding.

4. Tied Down
This one sounds like more of an angry song. The singing also happens to use that over-used megaphone technique... not that it's as bad as autotune by any means or even bad at all, just something I notice being used A LOT in underground rock today. This iz another really good song, with great riffs and lead melodies.

5. Farewell
Another happy, pop type of song. And it's a breakup song. But it's still pretty good. There's sort of a floaty lead guitar melody for this one. Floaty and echoey.

6. 90's Girls
Yep, there were girls in the 90's... I'm pretty sure, at least. Maybe there were only men in the 1990s... but then why were there a bunch of really cool bands with girls in them in the 1990s? So many MYSTERIES IN LYFE! Yeah, there were girlz in the 90'z. They were 90'z girlz. Anyways, about this song. It's a pretty cool instrumental song that shifts between mid-tempo and fastness, with a neat gee-tar sound and all that crap and it's very good sounding. Also the shortest song. And the fastest. And the lastest.

I liked "Darkwave", "Tied Down", and "90's Girls" the most. The band's line-up? Who are theeze ladies (and gentleman) playing theeze instruments? They are: JACKIE (GUITAR CHORDS AND VOCAL CORDS), COLLIN (DRUMS), and DUSTY (OTHER GUITAR AND OTHER MOUTH). I guess it's a pretty good EP. Maybe they will make more and better songs in the future. That would rule. Oh, and it you're from around the area, the Pods are playing on the 9th anniversary of 9/11, as evidenced by THIS SHOW POSTER:



We now know the axis of evil that truly caused the 9/11 terrorist attacks: Destruction Unit, the Discos, Becky Lee, and the Pods. And they're going to do it all over again to two cactuses very soon. My condolences to all the good-hearted families who are going to be killed by these terrorists. And you can watch for free... at 9 PM... at the Yucca Tap Room... fucker.

Top 3 Favorites:
1. Tied Down
2. 90's Girls
3. Darkwave