Pomegranates create an offbeat, arty brand of indie rock that relies heavily on atmosphere, presentation, and -- in the case of this sophomore album, which follows the band's debut by less than one year -- a conceptual story arc involving a boy's swim across the ocean and subsequent abduction by a time traveler. An odd premise, perhaps, but Everybody, Come Outside! revels in such a whimsical narrative, which the band supports with an equally quirky blend of pop-minded guitars and androgynous vocals. Pomegranates aren't fantastic musicians; rather, they're solid storytellers with a knack for delivery, adding little flourishes (including squawking seagulls, crashing waves, gang vocals, and a stomp-clap intro) whenever the plot calls for it. Guitarist Isaac Karns does the most impressive work here by adapting his guitar to a variety of contexts, from the 1950s sock-hop ambience of the title track to the echoing riffs of "Corriander." He also assumes lead vocals from time to time, proving a more masculine contrast to frontman Joey Cook's childlike voice, and his baritone range lends a sense of '80s elegance to songs like "Jerusalem Had a Bad Day." The album does have its flaws, particularly the indulgent "I Feel Like I'm a Million Years Old," which spins the same dreamy chord progression for upwards of 11 minutes (nearly a quarter of the record's entire length) with little dynamic change. Pomegranates may need some more time to ripen fully, but Everybody, Come Outside! will still be a treat to some palettes.
ALBUM REVIEW: Pomegranates – Everybody, Come Outside!words: Jamie MiltonThe ingredients thrown into the stirring jar that makes up Pomegranates’ second album aren’t entirely unique; first of all, there’s the happy-go-lucky attitude, exemplified in the title, the mood of almost every song. Compiled by rich guitar layers, lyrics about being in the city and wanting to [...]
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Everybody, Come Outside! is the sophomore release from Cincinnati-based quartet Pomegranates.As an experimental art rock band Pomegranates are a little bit different. Shying away from the waves of guitar feedback, fuzz, and reverb that propels acts like My Bloody Valentine, the band instead relies on sampling and keyboards on top of a traditional rock four-piece to create their dreamy
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ALBUM REVIEW: Pomegranates – Everybody, Come Outside!words: Jamie MiltonThe ingredients thrown into the stirring jar that makes up Pomegranates’ second album aren’t entirely unique; first of all, there’s the happy-go-lucky attitude, exemplified in the title, the mood of almost every song. Compiled by rich guitar layers, lyrics about being in the city and wanting to [...]
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Pomegranates evoke their wanderlust and fixation with a sense of belonging through dreamy pop, and for the most part they succeed brilliantly in implicating you in their quest.
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Everybody, Come Outside! is the sophomore release from Cincinnati-based quartet Pomegranates.As an experimental art rock band Pomegranates are a little bit different. Shying away from the waves of guitar feedback, fuzz, and reverb that propels acts like My Bloody Valentine, the band instead relies on sampling and keyboards on top of a traditional rock four-piece to create their dreamy
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 "Everybody, Come Outside!")
