The layered, whispery vocals made me think I knew exactly what to expect from the new Pony Express record. In the past Jeff Cloud's baby has delivered intelligent and talented music under the radar of the majority of the world. Thankfully he's grown as a songwriter with each release while still mining similar territory. The first album sounded like a stripped down version of Starflyer 59 for the most part. On Becoming What You Hate Cloud's songs are stronger than ever and he's assembled one of the most amazing bands in the world. The line up is Cloud, Jason Martin (SF59), Frank Lenz (jack of all trades), Richard Swift (see Lenz) and J. Dooley. It's so good it makes you sick, and to be honest I can just end the review right here. You should get the point already.
I'll go on though. Just for you. (No, You)
On Becoming What You Hate Cloud and co. attack a wider range of sounds than ever before. Now, it's still recognizably Pony Express. Since that first album Cloud's carved out his own niche in the hushed pop songs world. The entire thing is just so Californian. It's all so relaxed and sprawling, and the guitars on "Walking Tall" even sound surfy.
"Teenagers & Fire" along with having the most pleasantly indecipherable title, is a flooring ballad. Cloud's hushed whispers are backed by simple guitars and then he's joined by organs, synth gurgles, and bass. It's easily the most beautiful, fragile thing to come out of this big man. (He's tall) And then, to follow up the most gorgeous track with the most blatantly rock and roll track he's ever written? AMAZING. I love this man and his collection of musicians. The beginning of "Headlights are the Answers" is just overpowering. The guitars are huge and holy crap I can't even talk about it coherently. It's the biggest 70's guitar sound in the world, all affected and out of control.
And keep in mind kids, this is only the first half of the album.
The next run of three songs remind of the first album but with a twist. "Puppy Hearts & Phone Calls" is a sweet little song about heartbreak only this time around he's written the most sickeningly good chorus. "Long Island" is a perfect snapshot of Cloud's songwriting. It's just so simple and elegant. Perfect. "GPA" is a brewing firestorm. It starts out normal enough, but then just erupts into a noisy squall near the end.
"Sister Says" is the last track and what a way to end it. Cloud is accompanied by a simple acoustic guitar and as he repeats his mantra over and over, he's joined by the weirdest chorus you'll ever hear. Eventually he leaves the room while the choir sings on.
Becoming What You Hate is incredible. Easily the best thing Cloud's done as Pony Express and I'm sure it's thanks in no small part to the cast of friends and accomplices helping him write these songs. It's sad this group and this man are so overlooked, this was probably one of the better albums to come out last year.
A-
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Trae CadenheadIt seems that when alternative music veterans get together, they normally get things right. At least Jeff Cloud (Starflyer 59, Joy Electric) and his Pony Express project further this notion. The lineup for the second full-length from the band is composed of Cloud, Jason Martin (Starflyer 59, Bon Voyage), Frank Lenz (Lassie Foundation, The Hot Stuff), Jason Dooley (MAP), and Richard Swift.…Opus 2003Reviewed by Jason MoreheadBecoming What You Hate finds Pony Express' Jeff Cloud making his boldest move yet as a songwriter and musician. It's tempting to see Cloud in light of his affiliation with Starflyer 59 and (until recently) Joy Electric. It's easy to see him as simply the tall, quiet guy on bass or keyboards, or the man behind the underappreciated Velvet Blue Music. I do it all the time, and therein lies the risk…Similar sounding releases
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