As most would expect, the first CD by Kim Deal's band The Breeders bears significant resemblance to her previous band the Pixies, but with some key differences. Unlike the Pixies, the Breeders are more subtle, relying on a much more subdued approach that creates an almost tangible tension between melody and noise throughout the entire album. Steve Albini's production only furthers the stiff tension in the Breeder's songs allowing the listener to hear every note in its rough, unaltered, natural state and appreciate the full depth of each individual sound. Showcasing some impressive songwriting talents, Kim Deal proves she was much more than just a bassist and occasional vocalist for the Pixies, drawing upon some interesting personal influences to craft her new band's sound. For example, the violin aided, atonal ballads of "Oh!" and "When I Was a Painter" would fit perfectly on any Raincoats album while "Opened" captures all the wild guitar power and rhythmic fury of early Sonic Youth recordings. Deal even goes so far as to undertake the brave task of covering a Beatles track, casting Lennon's classic in a new chaotic light. In fact, John Lennon would prove a perfect comparison to the Breeders. Lennon's interest in making unmixed and rough music but that still retained a pop melody seems like a perfect parallel to what Kim Deal is striving for with the release of Pod. But regardless of where Kim Deal is coming from with this album, there are some tracks like the gut wrenching "Iris" and sonically sinister "Glorious" that immediately make the listeners jaw drop in awe. With every song a perfect combination of pure pop and sub stooges guitar riffs, Pod accurately shows that music doesn't need to be overproduced and studio enhanced to be catchy but can remain edgy and still get stuck in your head for days. Drumb
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