Seapony
Falling

THE REVIEW

For a band to release two albums in two years involves a high level of prolificity. This can be seen as the result of two factors: clear ideas on what to do or a craving to release material. For Seapony, a trio from Seattle, both factors can be considered.

The album in question is "Falling", released a year after "Go With Me", which comes in close succession to the previous debut album. The only substantial novelty is the presence in the second part of the album of some more acoustic tracks, but still too electric to fall under folk. Notable tracks include "Fall Apart", with fingerpicking and steel guitars of country extraction, and "No One Will". The most common formula remains that of "Go With Me": a rhythm section (usually) formed by bass and drum machine (see "Be Alone"), rhythm guitar and lead guitar (with dreamy influences), and the distinct ethereal voice of Jen Weidl. The melodies are simple, sometimes repetitive and monotonous (this being the only flaw of the album), but all things considered, never banal.

The influences identified are numerous: from the dream pop of the more recent Pain of Being Pure at Heart to the shoegaze of the inevitable My Bloody Valentine (especially for the resemblance between the voice of Jen Weidl and that of Bilinda Butcher of MBV), passing through the twee-pop of Field Mice and Heavenly. For Seapony, the album of truth will be the third one, which will clarify whether these three youngsters have managed to achieve a less derivative sound.