Search - Pond :: Practice of Joy Before Death

Pond-the most overlooked band of the 90's

Ron Erickson | College Park, MD United States | 08/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sadly, Pond disbanded in early '99 after producing three memorable albums. Their second release, The Practice Of Joy Before Death, was released in '95 two years after their eponymous debut. Songwriting is split between guitarist Charlie Campbell and bassist Chris Brady, who also share vocal duties. Never have two voices harmonized so well together. Attempting to describe Pond's sound (psychedelic pop is often used)is just pointless. If you haven't heard it for yourself then you're just missing out."

Best Albums of the 90s (1)

jimmy982 | California | 01/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"During the mid-90s it was virtually impossible for any alt-rock to slip through the cracks, which makes it even more amazing that this '95 release never grabbed huge indi-label popularity. Pond's self-titled debut rode the wake of SubPop's Nirvana publicity rush, and rightfully so--it was a good album, yet no formitable predecessor for what was to come. With "Practice of Joy", Pond borrowed the noise pop of our friends in the Southern Hemispere (mainly the New Zeland scene) and melded it beautifully with the pure pop which had made their first album instantly ear enticing. The result are songs like "Sideroad" & "Glass Sparkles in Their Hair", perfect examples of what occurs when two excellent songwriters and innovative musicians meld talents together to try something close enough to the edge to feel the rush of looking over, but close enough to safety that you never need to check your footing. Unfortunately, Pond never quite made it past this triumph. A major label squabble with Sony produced a slightly above average third release and a regretable break-up, with each of the three members heading off on their own ways. The best we can do is grab up this album before it is permenently out of print."

The Pratice Of Joy Before Death...

09/03/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In the frenzy that consumed the pacific northwest during the early nineties, Sub Pop were proclaiming that Pond were going to be their next Nirvana, their next big thing. After a glimpse at their brilliance on their selftitled album, Pond retreated, and released an incredible album on their own terms. Fewer hooks than their previous album, but an incredible example of what a great band can do when it expands it's horizon and experiments."