First things first: if you were wandering whether that PA im Matt Podn PA stands for Pennsylvania, the answer is yes. That is because Matt Pond, the key guy, composer and singer in this current pole barer of the baroque pop tradition is from New England and now resides with the current lineup of his band in Brooklyn. But then, the band got its musical shape and started coming up with its music while they did reside in Philadelphia, PA. No confusion, right?
Anyway, Matt Pond PA have more or less quitely been producing excellent, well rounded music and lyrics for quite some time. Starting in late Nineties, and at one time being the darlings of "CD Now" and proclaimed as one of the sucessors of Cure, they were constantly flirting with the radar of big time, but never getting there completely. Judging by the music they have produced so far, including this new album, "Wintery Times", undeservedly.
Although Matt Pond PA's music has been taking additional shapes and forms through their carrer so far, they have always relied on Matt Pond's great sense of melody and arrangments. And lets not forget the lyrics, Matt's another strength. They have started out with the strong inclusion of a string quartet in their arrangements, those have flown in and out of the picture, but have never been abandoned as such. And their music is better for that. This is quite eveindent on "Wintery Times" too. Try the out the subtly understated arrangements and melodies of "Force of Nature" and the Cocteau Twins cover "Fotzepolitic".
Listening to the album as a musical unit, you do get the feeling that this is true winter music. Winter as in cold outside, but it is warm inside. Casual listeners or those unfamiliar with this band might say that they remind them of The National in their more lowdown mood. Sure, the two bands do reside in Brooklyn, but have in mind that Matt Pond PA have started out a few years earlier. Nothing to take away from a great band like The National in any way.
But, Matt Pond PA have their unique profile, quite unique and mature sound, in full evidence on this new album of theirs. A true wintery music for wintery times.
