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Pom Pom
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Pom Pom Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 70 Ratings

  • Summary: The 17-track solo release from the Los Angeles artist features two songs co-written with Kim Fowley.
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Top Track

Picture Me Gone
Let's make a toast to glory days When you were 8 and I was only 41 I dedicate this selfie to the little guy Who will outlast me when I'm done Look... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Pitchfork
    Nov 18, 2014
    88
    The campy flair, smirking irony, and deliberately "retrolicious" alliteration matches the scarecrow-genius of his new album, Pom Pom.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Nov 17, 2014
    80
    It’s funny, melancholy, randy, touching, disgusting and deeply, deeply strange. It will baffle many--but at 17 tracks and 70 minutes, it has the feel of a magnum opus.
  3. Under The Radar
    Nov 24, 2014
    80
    Pom pom would be intolerable if it didn't dare revel in the sublime ridiculousness of the cheap, tragically dated, and deeply sleazy. One simply doesn't write a throwback single as picture-perfect (or is that Polaroid-imperfect?) as "Put Your Number in My Phone" without a command of and deep affection for the classic pop form, however cynically twisted that affection may be.
  4. Exclaim
    Nov 14, 2014
    70
    The first half or so of pom pom proves Ariel Pink is still a pretty formidable songwriter.... From there, the structure seemingly breaks away, as Pink indulges in further left-field whims that are often more novel than gratifying.
  5. CMJ
    Nov 20, 2014
    70
    As convoluted as it may seem at first, there is merit to the deranged genius of Ariel Pink.
  6. The Line of Best Fit
    Dec 3, 2014
    65
    Pink continues down his path of willful eccentricity on pom pom, then, with little more to add to his reputation (which sadly now appears to be growing more for his haphazard attempts to be an internet-famous ‘figure’ than his musical output), yet there are moments of atmospheric and emotive brilliance that will make you wonder what kind of excellence he could achieve if he weren’t quite so in debt to the R Stevie Moore’s legend.
  7. DIY Magazine
    Nov 13, 2014
    40
    A record that needs its fat well and truly trimming.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. MusicPro
    Jan 2, 2015
    10
    This is perfect! I love this album from start to finish!

    An amazing Psychedelic Pop/Experimental-Rock album by Ariel Pink. FAV TRACKS:    This is perfect! I love this album from start to finish!

    An amazing Psychedelic Pop/Experimental-Rock album by Ariel Pink.

    FAV TRACKS:

    - All of them    … Expand
  2. lUcOzAdExx
    Jun 23, 2016
    10
    Ariel's werid mind will introduce you to a world where he talks about different actual themes, with his particular style. A great record,Ariel's werid mind will introduce you to a world where he talks about different actual themes, with his particular style. A great record, great production, vocals, lyrics, EVERYTHING!. thank you ariel.… Expand
  4. ILoveMusic
    Apr 11, 2015
    10
    A funny, dark and a beautiful odyseey! It's amazing! The most colorful album I've ever heard in my LIFE! IT'S AMAZING! Best album ofA funny, dark and a beautiful odyseey! It's amazing! The most colorful album I've ever heard in my LIFE! IT'S AMAZING! Best album of 2014!!!!!!

    10/10    … Expand
  5. carrsean
    Apr 20, 2016
    9
    It's not an easy listen, but it's a very rewarding one. If you give this album a shot, you'll see that beyond the weirdness, Ariel Pink hasIt's not an easy listen, but it's a very rewarding one. If you give this album a shot, you'll see that beyond the weirdness, Ariel Pink has strong pop sensibilities (ex. Lipstick, Put Your Number in My Phone). Pom pom is also very diverse, as it dives into many different genres like polka pop to straight reggae rock. And that's only one song. This album is very rich, and deserves for you to give it a listen.… Expand
  6. TheEverydayMan
    Dec 13, 2014
    9
    Ariel Pink's most sophisticated work to date. Yes, the melodies border on Disney-esque playfulness, the lyrics can be a bit trite, but at theAriel Pink's most sophisticated work to date. Yes, the melodies border on Disney-esque playfulness, the lyrics can be a bit trite, but at the heart of the album it's the intricate and unpredictable song arrangements that make it the kind of album you can listen to over and over again and still find something new every time. There's a sense of creative fooling around here--but a very mature one--like childhood and adulthood blending together seamlessly on the same album. Ariel Pink is a genius at knowing how to tap into the spirit of different generations; it sounds all at once like the future of pop music channeling all the greatest 60s pop artists. He has something for everyone.… Expand
  7. josephmclean29
    Nov 11, 2015
    8
    Great sounds and rhythm throughout this album. Cheerful, bubbly and light at times, like the opening track, "Plastic Raincoats In The PigGreat sounds and rhythm throughout this album. Cheerful, bubbly and light at times, like the opening track, "Plastic Raincoats In The Pig Parade", but then it can instantly shift into dark and atmospheric at other points such as "Not Enough Violence".

    "Pom Pom" reminds me of a "Gloss Drop" era Battles or Warm Soda or Talking Heads or Blondie, but with a more "just relax & enjoy yourself while you're here" feeling.    … Expand
  8. CiphirSol
    Nov 18, 2014
    8
    It gets to you, it really does, but it never disconnects completely from the weirdness. I wouldn't call it the best thing since sliced bread,It gets to you, it really does, but it never disconnects completely from the weirdness. I wouldn't call it the best thing since sliced bread, but it will sneak into your discography and live there and play from time to time, always managing to catch you off guard.… Expand

See all 10 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Most Discussed Album of 2014

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