Polvo
's
Exploded Drawing
takes listeners on a sonic journey that encompasses nearly every kind of sound that a guitar has been known to make, and a few that might be unheard of until now. The group has worked on their intricate, changeable sound since the early '90s, but on
, it shows they've worked on their songwriting as well. The great majority of this hour-plus-long album is as listenable as it is inventive, particularly on the alternately shimmery and explosive
"Bridesmaid Blues"
and the angular
"Feather of Forgiveness."
"Light of the Moon"
sounds like a twisted cowboy
ballad
, and
"Missing Receipts"
is an eerie, echoing instrumental that exemplifies
's experimental guitar play.
doesn't forget to include the
punk
, as
"High-Wire Moves"
and
"Taste of Your Mind"
testify, but
blues
,
Eastern music
folk
country
ambient
music also find their way into
, giving each song a twisting, unpredictable quality. Though the album's length can lose some listeners, if the mood is right for arty guitar music, then
is the right choice. ~ Heather Phares