Who's the Best College Band in America according to RollingStone.com?
Pseudopod, a jazzy, folk-rock band whose members are alumni of UCLA's music program.
Pseudopod released its self-titled, major-label debut on Interscope Records, Aug. 13.
Pseudopod's sound can be compared to Train and Sister Hazel - all three of which have been produced by Paul Ebersold - and the Dave Matthew's Band.
Still, this band has a few surprises on its debut. Unlike much rock released today, there are instrumentals that last longer than one minute, such as on track five "Dante."
Though Pseudopod has a distinctive and prevalent style, each song is different, such as track eight, curiously titled "Music Maker." This song has traces of country influence, no doubt from the album being recorded in Memphis, Tenn.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Pseudopod isn't like most bands that are out now. Three members have earned degrees - Tim McGregor, drums, and Ross Grant, guitar, background vocals, both have bachelor's degrees in music and bassist Brian Fox has a master's degree in ethnomusicology.
While this doesn't necessarily mean it is the greatest band in the world, the influence of their educations is apparent in their music - these boys have written and arranged their music with care.
They formed while in college and picked up singer Kevin Carlberg after seeing him at a Los Angeles bar's open-mic night.
They went to school during the week and toured on the weekends. They released two independent albums, Pod and Rest Assured, before getting signed to Interscope Records.
The album, Pseudopod, is full of jazzy, folk rock and melodic musical arrangements.
One of the longest instrumental sections on the album is on track 12, "Lackadaisical Memory."
It begins upbeat, bearing '70s rock influence and ends with a six-minute, dreamy, slow-tempo instrumental that crescendos to faster rhythm pattern. This tempo change is reminiscent of the title track off Tragic Kingdom by another So Cal band, No Doubt, but in a very different style.
The melodically focused arrangements flow quite nicely and are consistent throughout the whole album.
Pseudopod alternates between relaxing jazz and up-beat rock.
The first single of the album, titled "Intentions" is a feel-good song for underdogs.
It's lyrics make wanting to get out of the humdrum of daily life and follow your dreams a possibility - much like this band has been able to do.
The album uses acoustic guitar and saxophone frequently. The lyrics are not simple, but metaphorical, intelligent and rival any written by the great songwriters of today.
Though Carlberg's vocals stay in middle-range, they wouldn't fit so perfectly with the music any other way.
Pseudopod is a nice change from the party, image-conscious music that has been released lately. Anyone who likes down-to-earth rock - or music they can just sit and chill to - will like this album.
