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Graham Smith
is a self-admitted recluse who spends the majority of his time speculating
on such universal issues as life, love and heartbreak while simultaneously
examining the structure of modern radio rock hits. Ponyoak, Smith's third
full-length under the KGW moniker, is lo-fi pop written and recorded in
a dorm room at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. The album executes
relatively conventional, indie musical ideas in a bipolar, unconventional
way. Smith recites tender tales of heartbreak in his vibrant sing-alongs,
while his addictive pop melodies lay buried beneath the gritty hiss of
his two-track recorder. Ponyoak is a highly endearing and very real portrait
of an emerging artist that makes you wonder what he could do if given
a little cash and an actual studio in which to work. |