It might be too soon to declare In Prism the best Polvo record ever . . . but it might be okay by the time you're done reading this.
It's de rigueur to ask the question, Why now? What makes a band decide to get back together for a few shows ten years later, and then for a few more? Well, I don't know because I didn't ask them, because the reasons don't matter, only the results. Isn't it pretty much always the same stuff anyway? "Because we could, because we thought it'd be fun, because we got asked."
What I do know, and what every old fan will quickly realize seconds into In Prism's opener, "Right the Relation," which is so much more "Polvo" than Polvo was, is that they would not have made this record a year after 1997's Shapes, their last album. Nor would they have two years later, or five. Not they couldn't have; they just wouldn't have. Only at this point in life would they be so assured, so casually stormy and intensely calm, graceful and free with their power only as guys their age, grown-ups who grew up without growing up, without setting aside anything that made them the rock artists they were during their first, unblemished run. There is not a thing on In Prism that they aren't doing better than before: the sidewinder guitars and the mighty roar and the moody atmospheres and the psychedelic explosiveness, the writing, the singing, the words you can understand, and the ones you can't.
Polvo spent 90 to 98 giving voice to a chorus of discrete rock & roll ideas that really hadn't been heard before. On In Prism, those ideas come together like overlaid transparencies, many planes phasing into a cool new geometry, the parts visible but inseparable. And while there was nothing wrong before, it's now so much more right-perhaps because after ten years, after other bands (Ash: Helium, Libraness; Dave: Idyll Swords and, with Steve, Black Taj; newest drummer named Brian: The Cherry Valence) and their tours and records and worries (if they had any), none of the peripheral stuff matters anymore. You just get to a place in life where a whole set of crap that might've once kept you up at night no longer means a thing. The lunchbox genrefications burped up by people who flunked algebra, any perceptions of competing with other groups for anything, what the band will do next or the label they're on or might want to be on (though we can all agree that it's cool to see Polvo back on Merge); that stuff's for less experienced bands, if they want it. Now is for Polvo, and Polvo is for now.
In Prism is the best Polvo record even before you get to the majestic "A Link in the Chain," serene and tempestuous like few other things you'll hear. The album was recorded with Brian Paulson and Polvo has never sounded better. Don't you agree?
-Mike Wolf, NYC, 6/09
It's de rigueur to ask the question, Why now? What makes a band decide to get back together for a few shows ten years later, and then for a few more? Well, I don't know because I didn't ask them, because the reasons don't matter, only the results. Isn't it pretty much always the same stuff anyway? "Because we could, because we thought it'd be fun, because we got asked."
What I do know, and what every old fan will quickly realize seconds into In Prism's opener, "Right the Relation," which is so much more "Polvo" than Polvo was, is that they would not have made this record a year after 1997's Shapes, their last album. Nor would they have two years later, or five. Not they couldn't have; they just wouldn't have. Only at this point in life would they be so assured, so casually stormy and intensely calm, graceful and free with their power only as guys their age, grown-ups who grew up without growing up, without setting aside anything that made them the rock artists they were during their first, unblemished run. There is not a thing on In Prism that they aren't doing better than before: the sidewinder guitars and the mighty roar and the moody atmospheres and the psychedelic explosiveness, the writing, the singing, the words you can understand, and the ones you can't.
Polvo spent 90 to 98 giving voice to a chorus of discrete rock & roll ideas that really hadn't been heard before. On In Prism, those ideas come together like overlaid transparencies, many planes phasing into a cool new geometry, the parts visible but inseparable. And while there was nothing wrong before, it's now so much more right-perhaps because after ten years, after other bands (Ash: Helium, Libraness; Dave: Idyll Swords and, with Steve, Black Taj; newest drummer named Brian: The Cherry Valence) and their tours and records and worries (if they had any), none of the peripheral stuff matters anymore. You just get to a place in life where a whole set of crap that might've once kept you up at night no longer means a thing. The lunchbox genrefications burped up by people who flunked algebra, any perceptions of competing with other groups for anything, what the band will do next or the label they're on or might want to be on (though we can all agree that it's cool to see Polvo back on Merge); that stuff's for less experienced bands, if they want it. Now is for Polvo, and Polvo is for now.
In Prism is the best Polvo record even before you get to the majestic "A Link in the Chain," serene and tempestuous like few other things you'll hear. The album was recorded with Brian Paulson and Polvo has never sounded better. Don't you agree?
-Mike Wolf, NYC, 6/09
07/13/11
On July 26, Polvo returns with brand-new music on their “Heavy Detour b/w “Anchoress” limited-edition 7-inch. Preorder your vinyl copy in the Merge store now and receive a demo version of “Anchoress” as a bonus!
Here the band offers artwork by In Prism’s Delicious Design League and music on “licorice-colored vinyl” that “might smell like baseball cards,” to borrow their own description. Recorded in North Carolina and mixed by Mitch Easter, “Heavy Detour” is taken from Polvo’s upcoming album.
Stream “Heavy Detour”
Polvo formed in Chapel Hill, NC, in 1990–a place and period known for its fertile indie scene. The band released two full-length albums and two EPs on Merge Records, plus two full-length albums for Touch and Go before disbanding in 1997. Polvo, joined this time by drummer Brian Quast (Cherry Valence), reformed in 2008 and released the critically acclaimed In Prism the following year.
The “Heavy Detour b/w “Anchoress” limited-edition 7-inch is available now for preorder in the Merge store.
Polvo on tour:
Aug 03 Sondrio, Italy Arena Sonica Festival
Aug 05 Berlin, Germany Puschen Festival
Aug 06 Katowice, Poland Off Festival
Aug 08 Amsterdam, Netherlands Paradiso
Aug 09 Copenhagen, Denmark KB 18
Aug 10 Stockholm, Sweden Debaser
Here the band offers artwork by In Prism’s Delicious Design League and music on “licorice-colored vinyl” that “might smell like baseball cards,” to borrow their own description. Recorded in North Carolina and mixed by Mitch Easter, “Heavy Detour” is taken from Polvo’s upcoming album.
Stream “Heavy Detour”
Polvo formed in Chapel Hill, NC, in 1990–a place and period known for its fertile indie scene. The band released two full-length albums and two EPs on Merge Records, plus two full-length albums for Touch and Go before disbanding in 1997. Polvo, joined this time by drummer Brian Quast (Cherry Valence), reformed in 2008 and released the critically acclaimed In Prism the following year.
The “Heavy Detour b/w “Anchoress” limited-edition 7-inch is available now for preorder in the Merge store.
Polvo on tour:
Aug 03 Sondrio, Italy Arena Sonica Festival
Aug 05 Berlin, Germany Puschen Festival
Aug 06 Katowice, Poland Off Festival
Aug 08 Amsterdam, Netherlands Paradiso
Aug 09 Copenhagen, Denmark KB 18
Aug 10 Stockholm, Sweden Debaser
03/04/11
Record Store Day is Saturday, April 16, and we have some special goodies to add to the celebration!
WILD FLAG – “Future Crimes” b/w “Glass Tambourine” 7-inch
The hotly anticipated debut release from the new musical partnership between Carrie Brownstein, Mary Timony, Janet Weiss and Rebecca Cole will be released exclusively in 7-inch form on Record Store Day! Produced by Spoon’s Britt Daniel, these tracks have already become viral hits through widely circulated videos taken during the band’s recent tour dates. Maybe this 7-inch will answer the question posed by WILD FLAG: What do you get when you cross a hamburger with a hot dog?
Listen to “Glass Tambourine” now at NPR Music!
Superchunk – Here’s Where the Strings Come In CD/LP reissue
Out of print for years, Here’s Where the Strings Come In has been remastered by Jason Ward at Chicago Mastering Company from the original 1/2″ reels, and will be available for the first time on 180 gram vinyl (with download coupon), and on CD newly packaged in LP-style cardboard sleeves. The heavy-duty vinyl jackets were re-printed at the original printing plant, Stoughton Printing Co, from the 1995 release. Both formats will also come with a download of exclusive bonus materials from the Superchunk vaults.
Caribou - Swim (Remixes) 12-inch
Originally released as a digital-only companion to Caribou’s acclaimed 2010 release Swim, the Swim (Remixes) double A-side 12-inch features “Leave House (Motor City Drum Ensemble Remix)” b/w “Jamelia (Gold Panda Remix)” as well as a code to download the entire 14-track release. Limited to 1000 and packaged in a European-style black sleeve, this 12-inch is a must for DJs and Caribou fans alike!
Polvo – Celebrate the New Dark Age 12-inch – Autographed by original line-up!
Originally released in 2008, this re-issue of Polvo’s guitar-twisting seven-song EP on limited-edition 180-gram vinyl is a Merge hallmark. Complete with great sleeve design by Independent Project Press, and a free download coupon. Exclusively for Record Store Day, a limited number of this vinyl EP have been autographed by the original 1994 Polvo line-up!
Superchunk / Coliseum – “Horror Business” b/w “Bullet” split 7-inch
Merge Records and Temporary Residence Limited have partnered to co-release “Horror Business” b/w “Bullet,” a limited-edition 7-inch of Misfits covers from Superchunk and Coliseum for April 16 – Record Store Day. Limited to 1,500 copies and available exclusively in record stores, the 7-inch cover was designed by Coliseum singer/guitarist Ryan Patterson, with a nod to the artwork from the Misfits’ Three Hits From Hell single. The 7-inch will be issued on three different colors of vinyl: Yellow w/ Black Splatter; Magenta w/ Black Splatter; and standard Black (500 copies of each).
WILD FLAG – “Future Crimes” b/w “Glass Tambourine” 7-inch
The hotly anticipated debut release from the new musical partnership between Carrie Brownstein, Mary Timony, Janet Weiss and Rebecca Cole will be released exclusively in 7-inch form on Record Store Day! Produced by Spoon’s Britt Daniel, these tracks have already become viral hits through widely circulated videos taken during the band’s recent tour dates. Maybe this 7-inch will answer the question posed by WILD FLAG: What do you get when you cross a hamburger with a hot dog?
Listen to “Glass Tambourine” now at NPR Music!
Superchunk – Here’s Where the Strings Come In CD/LP reissue
Out of print for years, Here’s Where the Strings Come In has been remastered by Jason Ward at Chicago Mastering Company from the original 1/2″ reels, and will be available for the first time on 180 gram vinyl (with download coupon), and on CD newly packaged in LP-style cardboard sleeves. The heavy-duty vinyl jackets were re-printed at the original printing plant, Stoughton Printing Co, from the 1995 release. Both formats will also come with a download of exclusive bonus materials from the Superchunk vaults.
Caribou - Swim (Remixes) 12-inch
Originally released as a digital-only companion to Caribou’s acclaimed 2010 release Swim, the Swim (Remixes) double A-side 12-inch features “Leave House (Motor City Drum Ensemble Remix)” b/w “Jamelia (Gold Panda Remix)” as well as a code to download the entire 14-track release. Limited to 1000 and packaged in a European-style black sleeve, this 12-inch is a must for DJs and Caribou fans alike!
Polvo – Celebrate the New Dark Age 12-inch – Autographed by original line-up!
Originally released in 2008, this re-issue of Polvo’s guitar-twisting seven-song EP on limited-edition 180-gram vinyl is a Merge hallmark. Complete with great sleeve design by Independent Project Press, and a free download coupon. Exclusively for Record Store Day, a limited number of this vinyl EP have been autographed by the original 1994 Polvo line-up!
Superchunk / Coliseum – “Horror Business” b/w “Bullet” split 7-inch
Merge Records and Temporary Residence Limited have partnered to co-release “Horror Business” b/w “Bullet,” a limited-edition 7-inch of Misfits covers from Superchunk and Coliseum for April 16 – Record Store Day. Limited to 1,500 copies and available exclusively in record stores, the 7-inch cover was designed by Coliseum singer/guitarist Ryan Patterson, with a nod to the artwork from the Misfits’ Three Hits From Hell single. The 7-inch will be issued on three different colors of vinyl: Yellow w/ Black Splatter; Magenta w/ Black Splatter; and standard Black (500 copies of each).
09/14/09
Polvo will join The Yeah Yeah’s, The Breeders, Modest Mouse and more to celebrate ten years of ATP from December 11-13 at Butlin’s Holiday Centre in Minehead, England.
Tickets are on sale now. Visit the All Tomorrow’s Parties website for full line-up and travel information. Polvo’s new record, In Prism, is available on limited edition double-LP, CD and digital download now in the Merge store!
Tickets are on sale now. Visit the All Tomorrow’s Parties website for full line-up and travel information. Polvo’s new record, In Prism, is available on limited edition double-LP, CD and digital download now in the Merge store!
08/31/09
Time is running out on our fantastic September Pre-Order contest!
To kick off the fall new release season, we will automatically enter everyone who pre-orders one (or all) of our September releases to win a complete SCORE! box set subscription. To be eligible, orders must be received prior to September 8.
Visit the Merge store to pre-order new albums from Polvo and The Clean as well as Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records for your chance to win!
If you have already pre-ordered any of our September releases, you will automatically be entered. And, yes, if you pre-order more than one September release (Polvo, The Clean, Our Noise), you get more than one chance to win!
To kick off the fall new release season, we will automatically enter everyone who pre-orders one (or all) of our September releases to win a complete SCORE! box set subscription. To be eligible, orders must be received prior to September 8.
Visit the Merge store to pre-order new albums from Polvo and The Clean as well as Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records for your chance to win!
If you have already pre-ordered any of our September releases, you will automatically be entered. And, yes, if you pre-order more than one September release (Polvo, The Clean, Our Noise), you get more than one chance to win!
08/11/09
On September 8, Merge will release new albums from The Clean and Polvo. Both albums are available to stream and for pre-order in the Merge store.
The Clean – Mister Pop
Mister Pop sees The Clean continue the great pop pastiche they began in 1978. Circus ragas (“Moonjumper”), gorgeously hazy sunset anthems (“In the Dreamlife You Need a Rubber Soul”), and the sometimes-loose Dada approach to wordsmithery continue right alongside “proper” lyrical forays, and a few Autobahn-referential instrumental moments to boot (“Tensile”). Robert Scott’s love of pastoral UK folk has brought some added weight into the overall Clean equation, as does David Kilgour’s Eastern and African guitar jones, though all this has always fit in with—and still constitutes—the total basis of the Clean sound journey.
Polvo – In Prism
Polvo formed in 1990 in Chapel Hill, NC. Their lineup consisted of vocalists/guitarists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, bassist Steve Popson, and drummer Eddie Watkins. The band released 2 full-length albums and 2 EPs on Merge Records, and 2 full-length albums for Touch and Go before disbanding in 1997. Polvo, joined by drummer Brian Quast (Cherry Valence), reformed in 2008 when asked to perform at ATP by Explosions in the Sky. Several festival shows followed, and new songs emerged. The Philadelphia Weekly said in a recent preview, “In the 1990s, no one used more hard angles, sharp turns and squirrelly tunings than the dos guitarra barrage of Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski.”
“the noise-rockers are still in fine, angular, all-over-the-map form.” ~Stereogum.com
The Clean – Mister Pop
Mister Pop sees The Clean continue the great pop pastiche they began in 1978. Circus ragas (“Moonjumper”), gorgeously hazy sunset anthems (“In the Dreamlife You Need a Rubber Soul”), and the sometimes-loose Dada approach to wordsmithery continue right alongside “proper” lyrical forays, and a few Autobahn-referential instrumental moments to boot (“Tensile”). Robert Scott’s love of pastoral UK folk has brought some added weight into the overall Clean equation, as does David Kilgour’s Eastern and African guitar jones, though all this has always fit in with—and still constitutes—the total basis of the Clean sound journey.
Polvo – In Prism
Polvo formed in 1990 in Chapel Hill, NC. Their lineup consisted of vocalists/guitarists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, bassist Steve Popson, and drummer Eddie Watkins. The band released 2 full-length albums and 2 EPs on Merge Records, and 2 full-length albums for Touch and Go before disbanding in 1997. Polvo, joined by drummer Brian Quast (Cherry Valence), reformed in 2008 when asked to perform at ATP by Explosions in the Sky. Several festival shows followed, and new songs emerged. The Philadelphia Weekly said in a recent preview, “In the 1990s, no one used more hard angles, sharp turns and squirrelly tunings than the dos guitarra barrage of Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski.”
“the noise-rockers are still in fine, angular, all-over-the-map form.” ~Stereogum.com
06/03/09
On September 8, Merge Records will release In Prism, the first studio album from Polvo since 1997′s Shapes. In Prism was recorded at Echo Mountain in Asheville, North Carolina with Brian Paulson in March of ’09, with additional recording in Carrboro in May of ’09.
Polvo formed in 1990 in Chapel Hill, NC. Their lineup consisted of vocalists/guitarists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, bassist Steve Popson, and drummer Eddie Watkins. The band released 2 full-length albums and 2 EPs on Merge Records, and 2 full-length albums for Touch and Go before disbanding in 1997. Polvo, joined by drummer Brian Quast (Cherry Valence), reformed in 2008 when asked to perform at ATP by Explosions in the Sky. Several festival shows followed, and new songs emerged.
The band has tour dates planned in June and July including XX Merge, and the Seaport Music Festival with Obits on July 31st. More tour dates to come this fall!
Download “Beggar’s Bowl” now!
In Prism track listing:
1. Right the Relation
2. D.C. Trails
3. Beggar’s Bowl
4. City Birds
5. Lucia
6. Dream residue/Work
7. The Pedlar
8. A Link in the Chain
Polvo formed in 1990 in Chapel Hill, NC. Their lineup consisted of vocalists/guitarists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, bassist Steve Popson, and drummer Eddie Watkins. The band released 2 full-length albums and 2 EPs on Merge Records, and 2 full-length albums for Touch and Go before disbanding in 1997. Polvo, joined by drummer Brian Quast (Cherry Valence), reformed in 2008 when asked to perform at ATP by Explosions in the Sky. Several festival shows followed, and new songs emerged.
The band has tour dates planned in June and July including XX Merge, and the Seaport Music Festival with Obits on July 31st. More tour dates to come this fall!
Download “Beggar’s Bowl” now!
In Prism track listing:
1. Right the Relation
2. D.C. Trails
3. Beggar’s Bowl
4. City Birds
5. Lucia
6. Dream residue/Work
7. The Pedlar
8. A Link in the Chain
"El Cid" split 7" w/ Erectus Monotone :: 7" / digital (Merge) 1992
Cor-crane Secret :: LP/CD/CS (Merge) 1992
"Tiebreaker" b/w "The Chameleon" & "Tiara Fetish" :: 7" (Merge) 1993
Today's Active Lifestyles :: LP/CD/CS (Merge) 1993
Celebrate The New Dark Age :: CDEP/CS/Triple 7" (Merge) 1994
This Eclipse :: CDEP (Merge) 1995
Exploded Drawing :: CD/LP (Touch & Go) 1996
Polvo :: CDEP reissue (Jesus Christ) 1996
Shapes :: CD/LP (Touch & Go) 1997
Celebrate The New Dark Age :: LP Reissue (Merge) 2008
In Prism :: CD/DBL-LP (Merge) 2009
"Heavy Detour" b/w "Anchoress" :: 7" (Merge) 2011
Cor-crane Secret :: LP/CD/CS (Merge) 1992
"Tiebreaker" b/w "The Chameleon" & "Tiara Fetish" :: 7" (Merge) 1993
Today's Active Lifestyles :: LP/CD/CS (Merge) 1993
Celebrate The New Dark Age :: CDEP/CS/Triple 7" (Merge) 1994
This Eclipse :: CDEP (Merge) 1995
Exploded Drawing :: CD/LP (Touch & Go) 1996
Polvo :: CDEP reissue (Jesus Christ) 1996
Shapes :: CD/LP (Touch & Go) 1997
Celebrate The New Dark Age :: LP Reissue (Merge) 2008
In Prism :: CD/DBL-LP (Merge) 2009
"Heavy Detour" b/w "Anchoress" :: 7" (Merge) 2011
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