Pom Pom
by Ariel Pink
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Nov 17, 2014
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
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  1. Mojo
    Nov 19, 2014
    60
    The all-pervasive teenage sexual obsessions on his tenth album can only come across as sweaty-palmed and distasteful. A shame, because musically Pom Pom's 17 tracks are uniquely inventive. [Dec 2014, p.96]
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  2. The Observer (UK)
    Nov 17, 2014
    60
    Pink has melody to burn, but the unevenness of Pom Pom is a stumbling block, even allowing leeway for lysergic non-linearity.
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Nov 17, 2014
    60
    The middle third of pom pom gives itself over relentlessly to schlock and dross for the purpose of exposing deeper truths on the way.
  5. NOW Magazine
    Nov 13, 2014
    60
    He stays true to his reputation for unconstrained madness.
  6. Under The Radar
    Nov 24, 2014
    50
    At 15 tracks, pom pom is a bit of a funhouse slog; too malevolent and toxic to really get close to.
  7. The Guardian
    Nov 13, 2014
    40
    It sounds like pop music made by someone who feels pop music is beneath him, deliberately crowding out his obvious abilities with stupid voices and noises, layering on the irony to mask his own insecurities about what he does.
  8. DIY Magazine
    Nov 13, 2014
    40
    A record that needs its fat well and truly trimming.

Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Most Discussed Album of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 70 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 70
  3. Negative: 4 out of 70
  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    … Full Review »
  2. ConnJack
    Dec 16, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. It’s actually not once that an artist who lacks in commercial appeal can make such wonderful music and is capable of putting out catchy tunes that have influences from past and presents genres. But psychedelic pop musician Ariel Pink, who used to be in a band, knows how to exhibit a sprawling myriad of creative ideas like incorporating cartoon voices and 80s new wave inspired synths onto his latest album, pom pom. The album’s opener ‘Plastic Raincoats in the Pig Parade’ has that typical indie pop vibe that resembles of Montreal and MGMT with its interesting lyrical creativity and terrific harmony elements that make it fit in to the song simultaneously. ‘White Freckles’ is a track that has that 1980s new wave sound devotedly influenced by bands like Devo and Oingo Boingo, but he can manage to pull it on with the deranged cartoon voices and amazing lyrical presence that makes it prefect. ‘Four Shadows’, an electro-rock opera is an incredible example of dynamic rhythms and harmony combined with a perfect fusion of electronics and guitars to make it have that incredible vibe to it but also manages to have a terrific lyrical aspect that gives it a great essence. ‘Not Enough Violence’, a track with has influences from The Cure, has a sense of humour in the lyrics about how kids want more violence on television and films, but also has that terrific indie pop sound which provides the right harmonic melody and rhythm that makes the song’s expectation to be as diverse as ever when it comes to defining his statement. A perfect track that makes this album oh so great is ‘Put Your Number in My Phone’, a harmony-driven piece which resembles the pop melodies of The Byrds by having a stunning lyrical impression on the listeners but also makes the excision of incorporating his life experiences with a great melodic vibe to make the song sound even better. ‘One Summer Night’, a new wave track inspired by likes of Sisters of Mercy also has that jangle pop vibe to the melody, which is also accompanied by the bizarrely impressive lyrics which makes it have a great effect on the music in general. ‘Sexual Athletics’ try to differ from the rest of the songs on this record even though it has the typical cartoon voices and audio samples to go with it, the lyrics has a twist of humour but the melody of this one changes throughout going from 80s styled rock to a jangle pop beat, which a nice switcher up for Pink. Both ‘Jell-o’ and ‘Black Ballerina’ are two other song that make the use of cartoon voices with an electronic beat that make it bizarre, which makes both song just very catchy plus the lyrics are funny. However, the best track on the record is one called ‘Picture Me Gone’, a beautiful new wave song that has a vocal harmony that seem to recall musicians like Paul McCartney and Magnetic Fields singer Stephen Merritt, but lyrically this one perfectly reflects on his personal life and combines with stunning rhythms and vibrancy that makes it memorable to listen to. Pom Pom comes to a close with ‘Dazed Inn Daydreams’, a great psychedelic piece that has a surprising start but makes an impression on us lyrically and rhythmically. Overall, the new record is an incredible mash up of different eclectic sounds with terrific songs which both accomplish psychedelic pop perfection and will make you wanting more from Ariel Pink in the future; which makes it a much buy for anyone.… Full Review »
  3. 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.… Full Review »
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