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Volume 9 by Bardo Pond–Album Review
Volume 9 by Bardo Pond–Album Review
A group initiated in fearlessness, fun, freakouts, and Philadelphian psychedelia – Bardo Pond graces us now with Volume 9, the 41st formal release (including EPs) since their inception in 1991.
While Bardo Pond is certainly a psychedelic, noisey-shoegazey band – they belong in a category all their own, one to be revered that questions existence, while keeping the conversation open. Volume 9 comes to us in 2024, having been recorded about 20 years prior. Hearing this, I immediately questioned the state of the world, then in the early 2000’s, a time that felt eerily similar to now; turbulent with war in a state of heavy technology yet to be fully realized. From a band that found its name in the Tibetan Book of the Dead, I find no coincidence in their thoughtfulness, even in simply reading the four track titles, “Conjunctio”, “The Nine Doubts”, & “War is Over, Pt 1 & 2”.
When making a record, the artist has to consider the medium they’re working within to showcase their message and intent. Previously, I used the term “fearless”, and believe that Bardo Pond’s intent is pure, free, and without fear – embracing the abstract and with no pop or hook to lure you in. Even still, in emboldened fun, the band captures the listener and takes them on a journey in Volume 9–a record that hosts and guides you through the trip, a sonic backdrop of spiritual direction. The auditory density is familiar, and beckons thoughtfulness within the guitar-driven format. Notably, this record showcases Philadelphia percussionist Michael Zanghi (Kurt Vile/The War On Drugs), who makes sure that the pulse is maintained throughout the 40-minute expedition.
Conjunctio might be the word for an extinct genus of amphibian, but it is also a Latin word for “joining together” or “uniting”. A thoughtful word to open the record, one that both exploits the psychedelic imagery the band has upheld for over three decades, while also giving the listener an idea of what they’re about to hear. From a heavy dose of noise in the vein of My Bloody Valentine, emerges a simple and kind acoustic guitar melody – reminding the listener of the light at the end of the tunnel. Whether the band was consciously implying the state of the world outside of the recording, one can only feel a familiarity with the loud abrasive noise of the world that is broken by the kind, simple offerings of the day reflected in the tracks’ delicate acoustic guitar and percussion.
While “Conjunctio” might be a nice umbrella to the entire record, “The Nine Doubts” doubles down on the downpour. With an onslaught of distortion, the listener considers the anxiety that sets in upon any good trip. Zanghi’s percussion breaks through the Eastern-inspired wall of sound – a sneak peek of what’s to come. With vague but healthy key centers, the dense walls of sound become familiar and even at times mitigate its own anxiety, a circular six-string mantra, with no words.
Courtesy of Fire Records
“War is Over Pt 1” feels the most topical, amongst an instrumental record. The title, again, is potentially in reference to what could have been the War on Terror. If nothing else, it is fun to speculate where the titles come from, and Bardo Pond does a nice job of relaxing the listener from the heat on the previous track. The figurative war from Nine Doubts is now at an end, and “War is Over, Pt. 1 & 2” provide an uplifting sensation that nearly defies what most consider noise, with a nice and simple repetitive melody able to harness and bring the listener back to the safety in the best way they know how. The hanging melody in “War is Over, Pt. 2” fizzles and showcases Zanghi’s dynamic playing – bringing us back to space.
Bardo Pond earns their keep as purveyors of free music, with their then decade-plus plus witch-doctorate able to provide the only antidote to some of the anxiety that they themselves have induced.
Overhand Sam Snyder is a Mid-Fi Psych-Rock producer singer-songwriter, and writer from Rochester NY
Related: Psychedelic Rock in the 90s
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