Pom Pom
by Ariel Pink
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Nov 17, 2014
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
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  1. 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, but it will sneak into your discography and live there and play from time to time, always managing to catch you off guard.
  2. 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:

    - All of them
  3. 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 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 matureAriel 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
  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 of 2014!!!!!!

    10/10
  5. ConnJack
    Dec 16, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand 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.… Expand
  6. Muddsjr
    Nov 21, 2014
    8
    Where there are admittedly moments of pure bliss and inventive brilliance, there is also crude and somewhat unwanted lyricism and perhaps a bit too much general messing around. Sometimes it works, other times it just annoys you. Perhaps if some of the weaker moments were cut out, then the more brilliant moments would make for a more enjoyable listen, 70 minutes of this doesn't keep myWhere there are admittedly moments of pure bliss and inventive brilliance, there is also crude and somewhat unwanted lyricism and perhaps a bit too much general messing around. Sometimes it works, other times it just annoys you. Perhaps if some of the weaker moments were cut out, then the more brilliant moments would make for a more enjoyable listen, 70 minutes of this doesn't keep my concentration and patience personally.… Expand
  7. Jyoti
    May 5, 2015
    10
    I thought it pretty off-putting at first but I've listened to almost nothing else for the past five months. If you give pom pom a chance, which you surely must, this entirely wondrous, kaleidoscopic confection of pop music will unfold and unfold.
  8. 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 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    Great 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
  9. 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 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 youIt'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
  10. 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, great production, vocals, lyrics, EVERYTHING!. thank you ariel.

Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Most Discussed Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. Rolling Stone
    Jan 5, 2015
    70
    Pink's music manages to be at once glossy and murky, absurd and natural--pinging with ADD inventiveness from demented glam rock to lone-wolf disco to cartoon punk to zonked-out Sixties psych pop.
    Read full review
  2. The Wire
    Dec 15, 2014
    80
    It's ridiculous but oddly moving. [Nov 2014, p.62]
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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