Wham, Bam, Thank you Ma’am – With a hint of Stones, Blondie, late 70’s Punk coupled with Elvis Costello, and 90’s pavement, you get a hit straight out of NYC itself.’

I’ve been listening to music most of my life, starting with a journey of 70’s rock during the early 80’s, and well into my teen years, with bands such as R.E.M. – and various Alternative rock groups. The super-group The New Pollution finds our ears this month, formed not from NYC but outside their state of residence, put together as High School friends. There are hints of John Spencer’s Blues Explosion, and our ears go wandering via this avant-garde rock anomaly. This is clearly an 80’s recreation by influence. Since the album is one continuous long-play, ones ears just need to take them in the direction they wish to go. Before the album is complete, past the warm up, then you really get to hear the genius of The New Pollution, when the organ comes in on Sad Pricks, coupled with, jazz-related tones, saxophone infused melodies, noise, wonky off-beat intervals and even a tambourine. On the final song, basslines that take you back to songs from The Talking Heads, and big city club music, in dark setting. It’s much like those hip cats during the days of the beat generation, just doing their thing. Influenced by the likes of David Bowie, on the first track and throughout, taken from each member’s influence, (Joy Division, The Fall, Pere Ubu) – as related from their leader, even early synth-pop. It’s an acid-jazz, snappy drum beat, punk rock, ska, session, that reminds me of the type of music I get to listen to at the local coffee shop I frequent, playing on the flat-top disc machine, “they have an actual turn-table there, behind the counter you know, classic, ya dig?”

Almark#WEATNU Digital Magazine
December 2019

Pick up the CD on WEATNU Records.