Pope Factory
Pope Factory EP
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Pope Factory
Pope Factory EP
Buffalo Fire, 1999
RiYL: Pavement, Sonic Youth's Dirty, Smashing Pumpkins' Pisces Iscariot |
The Toronto-based quartet uses vocals sparingly but keeps the sound full, with keyboards and multiple guitars ranging through pop hooks, some inventive progressions, and a few all-out space jams. That the EP was recorded live in the studio is a testament to the band's proficiency and cohesiveness.
The six-minute "Channeling Ringo" is a standout track, beginning from a simple guitar riff echoing around to all the members' instruments, moving through a rare portion of a vocal verse and chorus, and then into a climactic section of cascading guitars topped with a welcome return to the opening riff.
The closer, 10-minute "The Wait" gets a bit excessive on its fringes, but overall, Pope Factory is an unassuming, pleasant EP for fans of the more jam-oriented side of alternative rock.
TROY CARPENTER | Troy Carpenter founded NATN from a Chicago apartment during the ambitious winter of 1998 with co-conspirators Ben French and Jonathan Cohen. After a five-year stint in New York, he and wife Lourdes have recently relocated to Indianapolis, where he spends days listening to music and nights in the kitchen at Elements restaurant. Musical heroes: Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Super Furry Animals. What else makes life worth living: Sushi, Phucty, runs in the park, and the Atlanta Braves.