Home
Champion
Champion in Bloomington, MN
Current price: $14.99
Loading Inventory...
Size: CD
In the years after
Cheater
, the members of
Pom Poko
moved just far away enough from the first flush of youth to start having kids of their own. On
Champion
, the band traces the stealthy inroads of maturity with songs about finding your place in the world and within your family, whether it's biological or chosen. This evolution is most apparent in the album's sound.
produced
themselves, and their cleaned-up, slightly straightened-out approach gives their bustling style more purpose. On "Growing Story," the grungy riffs that crack the song open make it sound as exciting to grow up as it is to be young. Fortunately,
haven't sacrificed any of their whimsy to bring clarity to their music -- the mysterious adventures of "Druid, Fox, and Dragon" could be just another day for them -- nor have they lost any of their anything-goes sensibilities on songs like the surprisingly happy marriage of folk and noise rock "Pile of Wood." While there may not be quite as many free-for-alls as there were on
Birthday
and
,
make them count; "My Family"'s rapid-fire love song to building a life together and "Big Life"'s brash electronic reminder to find meaning in each day are as wholesome as they are frenetic. However,
is most gripping when the band questions conventional notions of maturity. They dig into generational tensions on "You're Not Helping." Over fractious funk,
Ragnhild Fangel Jamtveit
chides stubborn elders: "You're from the '60s/Old enough to not be terrified of the future." By contrast, the title track's oddball sweetness honors the youthful spirit that never really goes away (or as
Jamtveit
sings, "I feel scared and wild/I'm the tallest child").
's increasingly eloquent way with ballads also leads to highlights like "Fumble," which closes
with one of its most moving sentiments: "You're the one who feels like family." Since growth and change is at the heart of this album, it's no wonder that it isn't always as consistent as some of
's previous music. Nevertheless,
's affecting, thoughtful, occasionally hyperactive songs open up new possibilities for the band and celebrate being true to yourself -- no matter what your age. ~ Heather Phares
Cheater
, the members of
Pom Poko
moved just far away enough from the first flush of youth to start having kids of their own. On
Champion
, the band traces the stealthy inroads of maturity with songs about finding your place in the world and within your family, whether it's biological or chosen. This evolution is most apparent in the album's sound.
produced
themselves, and their cleaned-up, slightly straightened-out approach gives their bustling style more purpose. On "Growing Story," the grungy riffs that crack the song open make it sound as exciting to grow up as it is to be young. Fortunately,
haven't sacrificed any of their whimsy to bring clarity to their music -- the mysterious adventures of "Druid, Fox, and Dragon" could be just another day for them -- nor have they lost any of their anything-goes sensibilities on songs like the surprisingly happy marriage of folk and noise rock "Pile of Wood." While there may not be quite as many free-for-alls as there were on
Birthday
and
,
make them count; "My Family"'s rapid-fire love song to building a life together and "Big Life"'s brash electronic reminder to find meaning in each day are as wholesome as they are frenetic. However,
is most gripping when the band questions conventional notions of maturity. They dig into generational tensions on "You're Not Helping." Over fractious funk,
Ragnhild Fangel Jamtveit
chides stubborn elders: "You're from the '60s/Old enough to not be terrified of the future." By contrast, the title track's oddball sweetness honors the youthful spirit that never really goes away (or as
Jamtveit
sings, "I feel scared and wild/I'm the tallest child").
's increasingly eloquent way with ballads also leads to highlights like "Fumble," which closes
with one of its most moving sentiments: "You're the one who feels like family." Since growth and change is at the heart of this album, it's no wonder that it isn't always as consistent as some of
's previous music. Nevertheless,
's affecting, thoughtful, occasionally hyperactive songs open up new possibilities for the band and celebrate being true to yourself -- no matter what your age. ~ Heather Phares
Shop Similar Products
