Pom Poko

Pom Poko is a post punk band with a bright, cheery sound that also works perfectly well within a pop context. First and foremost in what defines their sound is the brilliant guitar work of Martin Tonne and his blazing run on the fretboard. His playing can be very math rock like at times, playing the riffs with a quick arpeggio, but he can also switch into a more traditional rock style with all the fuzz, and more importantly, he has a good sense to know when to hold back and not push the tempo. The effect is somewhere between St. Vincent and semi-Weaves, semi-Priests territory. The bass and drums do a great job matching Tonne's mad dash with their complex rhythms while also providing a sturdy frame for him to work off of. Their vocalist Ragnhild Fangel has a sweet and calm voice that generates excellent melodic counter-weight. Her interaction with the guitar may at times be reminiscent of the early Buke and Gase dynamics.