Pond

Psych and garage musicians go to great lengths to recreate the analog past. Therefore, there must be a crap-load of bruised egos screaming in jealous rage, because a group of kids on the West coast of Australia have perfected a sound that many have dedicated their careers to. Tame Impala guru Kevin Parker gets the bulk of the press, but Pond are likely the nucleus of Perth's forward-thinking (and backwards-sounding) rock scene. A semi-revolving door of musicians, the group released a trio of albums before Tame Impala's success threw them into the spotlight with their fourth offering, Beards, Wives, Denim (Jay Watson and, until recently, Nick Allbrook were both touring members of Parker's band). Hobo Rocket offers a more bombastic and expansive sound than previous efforts while simultaneously expanding the band's sonic palette. You can now throw Sabbath-sized riffs and Krautrock groove into the group's already impressive arsenal. "Xanman" is the closest link to Tame Impala, but it's tracks like the floating "O Dharma" and bludgeoning "Aloneaflameaflowe" where Pond's true character comes to light. With Hobo Rocket, Pond once again step out from an ever-growing shadow to prove that they are far more than anyone's "other band."