Ponderosa
Pool Party
(Yep Roc)
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Seldom have bands changed direction so radically and rapidly within the course of one album and one year as Ponderosa. The Atlanta outfit’s Tom Petty-lite debut was a sturdy but unexceptional Southern rock album with elements of power pop and blues. This follow-up is an entirely different animal. Whether producer David Fridmann uncovered the group’s underlying dreamy psychedelia or they found it themselves, the sound is now pensive, spacey pop with elements of Pink Floyd’s atmospherics mixed into an arty, wistful but accessible cloud. Casual listeners won’t be able to tell it’s the same group and even if the names haven’t changed, it’s hard to imagine what transpired to alter their approach so drastically. Regardless, it’s a step in the right direction as these songs blend together to yield lovely, predominantly pensive music enhanced by overdubs of percussion and multi-layered waves of strummed guitars. It’s entrancing and captivating but not recommended for a typical pool party.

Announcing the Country Way Digital Sampler Vol 2, present by CMT

In conjunction with our new country music issue, American Songwriter and CMT proudly present The Country Way Digital Volume 2, featuring 31 must-hear tracks from some of our favorite artists. And the best thing about it? It’s free!
 

Click HERE To Download

Check out the full track listing here: 

1.       The Apache Relay - “American Nomad”

2.       Jessica Lea Mayfeld - “Our Hearts Are Wrong”

3.       Dylan LeBlanc - “Emma Hartley”

4.       Caitlin Rose - “Shanghai Cigarettes”

5.       Justin Townes Earle - “Learning To Cry”

6.       Hayes Carll - “Stomp & Holler”

7.       Sunny Sweeney - “From a Table Away”

8.       Sons of Bill - “The Rain”

9.       Jonny Corndawg - “Night Rider”

10.   Joe Pug -“How Good You Are”

11.   The Civil Wars - “Barton Hollow”

12.   Matraca Berg - “Racing The Angels”

13.   Steve Earle - “Waitin’ On The Sky”

14.   Middle Brother - “Me, Me, Me”

15.   Ponderosa - “I Don’t Mind (Live from American Songwriter)”

16.   Randy Montana - “1000 Faces”

17.   Walker Hayes - “Why Wait For Summer”

18.   Miss Willie Brown - “Couyon Crazy”

19.   Randy Rogers Band - “Interstate”

20.   Josh Kelley - “Gone Like That”

21.   Diana Jones - “High Atmosphere”

22.   Andrew Combs - “Wanderin’ Heart”

23.   Charlie Louvin - “Weapon Of Prayer”

24.   Robert Ellis - “Westbound Train”

25.   Wrinkle Neck Mules - “Catfish And Color TVs”

26.   Ryan Tanner - “I Never Did My Best”

27.   Marty Stuart - “Hummingbyrd”

28.   Jim Lauderdale - “Patchwork River”

29.   Lori McKenna - “Still Down Here”

30.   Buddy Miller - “God’s Winged Horse”

31.   Jason Isbell - “Codeine” 

Session: Ponderosa

Ponderosa stopped by the American Songwriter offices last month to play three songs fromMoonlight Revival, their New West debut which they recorded with Joe Ciccarelli in Nashville at Blackbird Studios. The Atlanta-based roots rockers played soulful, stripped-down versions of “Old Gin Road,” “Broken Heart” and “I Don’t Mind,” blowing our minds in the process. Be sure to read our recent interview with Ponderosa, in which they discuss recording Moonlight Revival, songwriting, and their love for OutKast.

View More Videos