Albums by this artist

Pantomime (1997)

Polara

Pantomime

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» PATRICK KASTNER | STAFF WRITER

Polara Pantomime Interscope, 1997 RiYL: Velo-Deluxe, Catherine Wheel, The Cure, Swervedriver

Polara's five-song EP, Pantomime, is meant to be a taste of things to come. If that's the case, we have a lot to look forward to from the Minneapolis-based four-piece.

The EP is filled with lush arrangements, weird sounds and tape loops. And songwriter Ed Ackerson excels. Each track, though filled with jarring sounds, is totally hummable.

Polara was formed as Ackerson's brainchild in Minneapolis in the mid-'90s. The singer/guitarist has made his name working with scores of bands on the indie circuit but wanted to carve out his own niche.

On the band's eponymous debut, he did just that, weaving distorted and phase-shifted guitar loops into magnificently simple-structured songs.

But on Pantomime, Ackerson takes that equation one step further. The debut only hinted at his affection for '80s Brit goth-rock. But Pantomime takes it full circle. On the title track, an organ hammers out a descending riff in classic goth-style leading into a staccato guitar and driving drum loop.

But Polara still can rock, too, as evidenced by the catchy "Idle Hands" and "Light The Fuse And Run." Taking Pantomime as an indication, Polara is headed in the right direction.

PATRICK KASTNER | Affectionately known as Cousin Patty (yes, it's a "Throw Momma From The Train" reference), Patrick Kastner is a designer for the Columbus Post-Dispatch.