On its self-titled album, California-based
Pseudopod blends mainstream pop with infusions of jazz and jam-oriented grooves. On the surface, the songs on this record appear to be formulaic, hook-laden, radio-friendly ditties. However, if one digs below the fluffy pop overtones, the musical deftness of the individual members is evident. In the middle of "Nevermind the Matter," there is a nice breakdown segment that shows off the band's musical complexity. "Dante" is another track where the group shines, Matt Keegan's jazz-infused sax solo and Ross Grant's stellar guitar work prove that they are much more than a three-chord garage band. Kevin Carlberg's vocals, when soft and mysterious, sound similar to
Live's
Ed Kowalczyk, and when he increases the energy, his sound morphs into more like that of
Train's
Patrick Monahan.
Pseudopod is definitely a band that has the potential for greater things it can find a way to focus on the jazzy, intricate jam sound and minimize the straightforward pop/rock. ~ Erik Crawford