Hold on tight for this rollercoaster ride
Breaking their musical hiatus since their 2020 demo release, Pink Mountaintops released their latest full-length album, Peacock Pools. Filled with ups and downs, this new record dances around several different genres, bouncing from American rock and alt-country to ’80s new wave synth. So much is packed into this 12-track album, every listen-through experiences something new.
Founded in Vancouver Canada, Pink Mountaintops is led by frontman Stephen McBean. The band features Emily Rose, Kliph Scurlock and Tygh Runyan when taking the stage. Getting their start in 2003, the band released their first self-titled record, Pink Mountaintops in 2004. Peacock Pools comes in as the band’s fifth studio record, following behind their 2020 demo release, Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasies: The First Demos.
Single, “Nikki Go Sudden” pulls the attention in with a luring twangy riff, dissolving into a Springsteen style Americana rock. A mixture of ringing acoustics and electric guitar is met with an uplifting percussion. The track is a solid mixture of folk and country, with a healthy dose of rock n’ roll to round things out. A single that definitely has something for everyone who listens in.
Almost doing a full 180 turn, “Blazing Eye” trades in the Americana rock for a busy ’80s industrial clashing of sounds. Heavy synths battle with signature ’80s digital drums that drive the same beat throughout. Near the end, the song takes a bit of a jarring change with many harsh and gritty tones mixing and squealing through. It is a stark change from the track right before it, showcasing Pink Mountaintop’s range of musical emotion.
Almost at a drop of a pin again the musical landscape takes a massive change. “You Still Around” comes in, or rather floats in on an ambient cloud of airy Pink Floyd-style brilliance. This highlight track removes the craziness featured in “Blazing Eye” and trades it for an endless soundscape of reverbed vocals and guitar with sprinkles of synths and moments of gritty electric guitar.
Closing out the record, “The Walk – Song for Amy” brings it all back home with a flavor of backroads rock n’ roll. Every element heard throughout the record seems to find its own place in this track. From the crisp drums to twangy electric riffs to organs, synths and new additions of a full strings section. This track is a beautiful closing to this record, lifting it high and ending with an upbeat, positive feeling.
From top to bottom, Peacock Pools is filled with many musical twists and turns, made to house something for everyone.
Leave a Comment