Ticket Crystals

Description

The sixth studio album from Philadelphias foremost purveyors of psychedelic space rock is due for a LP only reissue on Fire Records.

Appearing for the first time on double heavy weight vinyl and with brand new artwork by Joy Feasley, Bardo Ponds 2006 album Ticket Crystals exemplifies the quintets signature doom tempo, multi-layered drones while introducing a lighter pastoral feel. Also featured on the album is the bands unique reworking of The Beatles White Album classic, Cry Baby Cry, which was originally recorded for and broadcast by the BBC as part of their commemorations of the 25th anniversary of John Lennons death.

2013 also sees Bardo Pond releasing a new full length towards the end of the year, which follows the release of their 2010 self-titled album on Fire Records, as well as an exclusive 12 of covers for Record Store Day.

Ticket Crystals is the most diverse effort of Bardo Ponds 15-year existence, and not coincidentally, is often considered their finest. Philadelphias most psychedelic small band (the Sun Ra Arkestra has the towns big band niche all wrapped up for all time) has always traded in contrasts, particularly those between vocalist Isobel Sollenbergers echo-soaked flute and vocals, and John and Michael Gibbons wall of guitars. Here they also vary in density and style. Destroying Angel opens with a reflective, solitary acoustic statement, then tumbles like a volcanos collapsing walls into a staggering, massive full-band blast lit from within by the disconsolate keening of Sollenberger and guest singer Christina Carter. They also juxtapose forwards and backwards motion; on Lost Word, guitars and chimes flicker in retreat across the stereo spectrum like a time-lapse movie of the days cloud movements run from dusk to dawn while Solenberger moans in advance of delicate picking, which in turn is dogged by dive-bombing electric distortion and woodwinds that pitch and weave like intoxicated sparrows.

In keeping with the bands quasi-Buddhist name, theres something pretty Tantric about Ticket Crystals. Songs take their time, withholding quick and easy pay-offs in order to build to a full-body throb of intertwining melodies and unfurling instrumental excursions. Tellingly, the best track is the longest, and also the farthest from Bardo Ponds stoned trudge. On FC II, sawing violins and share murky space with watery wah-wah guitars while the rhythm section of Clint Takeda and Ed Farnsworth waxes almost dubby. Imagine Augustus Pablo mixing Tony Conrad and Fausts Inside the Dream Syndicate with Miles Daviss He Loved Him Madly and youre almost there. Bill Meyer for Dusted