| In Tibetan Buddhist cosmology the word, | | | | Elements that while they were always present, |
| "Bardo" refers to an intermediate state. | | | | are now more front and center allowing them |
| Specifically, a state between two lives on | | | | to shine.The obvious and most welcome of |
| Earth.According to Tibetan tradition after | | | | these is the voice and flute of Isobel |
| one has died and before one's next birth, | | | | Sollenberger. On previous releases her voice |
| one's consciousness experiences a wide | | | | has, while adding texture, been primarily |
| variety of phenomena. These experiences and | | | | buried under a mountain of crushing feedback. |
| visions range from beautiful to terrifying | | | | Her flute has shown up before but on this |
| and provide one with opportunities to reach | | | | album it also takes center stage. The |
| enlightenment or to suffer a lower rebirth. | | | | repositioning of Sollenberger toward the |
| This cosmic video game landscape is laid out | | | | center of Bardo Pond's sound is an absolute |
| in extreme detail within the pages of the | | | | masterstroke! Oddly for a voice that can |
| Tibetan Book of the Dead. This book also | | | | sound as eerie and wistful as hers, it |
| serves as a guide to be read to the recently | | | | provides somewhat of an anchor or focal point |
| deceased to help them as they navigate | | | | that helps guide and propel these songs |
| through the Bardo.A pond is a body of water | | | | along. Bardo Pond's music has always been a |
| which is generally defined by its' size. A | | | | wild ride. they patch together huge crushing |
| pond is smaller than a lake and is usually | | | | chunks of feedback with time-lag tempos and |
| shallow enough that sunlight can reach the | | | | wrap the whole business in a druggy, |
| bottom. Another defining characteristic is | | | | vasoline-smeared gauze.Their music can sound |
| that ponds, as opposed to lakes, are usually | | | | like summer lightning moving through a vast |
| the result of rain run-off, mineral springs | | | | ocean of molasses and believe me folks, |
| or very small streams. Typically a pond has | | | | that's a very good thing! Much as Sonic Youth |
| little or no outflow drainage and as a result | | | | has done on their newest, Bardo Pond has |
| ponds develop self-contained ecosystems. | | | | taken one of their sonic signatures, noisy |
| Ponds also display the formation of 'scum" | | | | skronk, and is now using it more sparingly or |
| which is the common name for the large amount | | | | strategically. And just as it did on the SY's |
| of dead and decaying vegetation condensing on | | | | album this usage shows both growth and power. |
| the surface of the water. A contributor to | | | | It's like a great boxer saving their best |
| the pond scum buildup is the presence of | | | | punch for those perfect moments. Another |
| algae which multiplies rapidly in the | | | | lovely aspect to this album are the song |
| nutrient rich and sunlight exposed waters.In | | | | lengths. In a music culture absolutely awash |
| reading through these definitions I'm struck | | | | in 2-3 minute pop songs, Bardo Pond makes a |
| by how, when combined, they provide a pretty | | | | statement with the 8-18 minute pieces alone. |
| good description of the music of the band, | | | | It's as though they are saying, "Slow down, |
| Bardo Pond.Okay, for any of you literalists | | | | pay attention. These things take time" |
| out there, I'm not suggesting that the band | | | | Highlight songs include, "Moonshine", "FCII", |
| are all dead water spirits covered in scum! | | | | "Lost World" and a stunning cover of the |
| I'm speaking more of a poetic vision of their | | | | Beatles "Cry, Baby Cry".It is always a |
| music and how it winds out. Within their | | | | pleasant experience to hear a band you love |
| music we find elements of hallucinogenic | | | | continue to evolve and grow. Bardo Pond has |
| visions and often there are large squishy | | | | recently released a flurry of small to |
| mats of algae-like noise.With "Ticket | | | | microscopic independent discs on labels such |
| Crystals" (ATP Recordings) Bardo Pond has | | | | as 3-Lobed and aRCHIVE. All of these releases |
| released its' best album yet. I don't say | | | | are radically different so it's hard to say |
| this lightly as they have put out some heavy | | | | if the Sollenberger as central-axis is a new |
| stuff in the past eleven years. In particular | | | | direction or a passing experiment. Hopefully |
| the albums, 'Set and Setting" and "Dilate" | | | | it's a bit of both. Either way, Bardo Pond |
| are awash in vast oceans of sound perfection | | | | has released an amazing disc here. It is a |
| and ambiance.However, "Ticket Crystals" | | | | set of challenging, eye-opening and beautiful |
| simply sets a new standard. It also | | | | music. |
| re-prioritizes elements of their sound. | | | | |