The Slow-Motion World of Snowpony is the full-length debut from
Snowpony, which features ex-members of
Stereolab and
My Bloody Valentine. The band's drone pop sound comes from a live rhythm section mixed with looped and sampled guitars and keyboards. Merged with Katharine Gifford's smooth, ennui-filled vocals, the result is strong, dark melodies with an edgy groove. The sound is very tight, which is most likely the result of producer John McEntire of
Tortoise. The album ranges from the light-hearted "Love Letters," with its teasing vocals and flirtatious lyrics, to the somber "St. Lucy's Gate." Many of Gifford's lyrics have a cryptic quality. On first listen, they seem innocent and simple, but then the darker aspects and double entendres surface. For example, "3 Can Keep a Secret (If 2 Are Dead)," which features sampling from Sonic Youth's "100%," sounds semi-cheerful, but the lyrics hint at something sinister and mysterious. This mood carries throughout the entire album, which helps to make The Slow-Motion World of Snowpony one of the most intriguing electronic pop albums of 1998. ~ Tracy Frey