Polyethylene: What Goes on Inside Houses

By: Charbarred | in: Music |

Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus. That’s your run-of the mill rock song playing on your iPod as we speak. It’s a great formula, and you don’t need me to say it, it’s been working for many years now. But I have a feeling you’re here to experience something a little more challenging…Fair enough, have you heard of Polyethylene?

Let’s preface by talking about “post rock”. According to Wikipedia it’s “a music genre characterized by non-traditional use of rock instruments and high musical density”. That means that while listening to a post rock song you may be in for a few surprises.
And this is where Boston trio Polyethylene really shines. The promise of having a song take a completely unexpected turn is what usually gets me listening in the first place. From the album opener “Thorman Wood Warmed Nights” you know you’re in for a great ride. What at first seems like atmospheric female fronted rock, turns into a blistering march of edgy guitars, erratic drums and amazing flutes and violins.
Once you’ve established things are not as they seem, what sounded like a Rainer Maria album, starts relentlessly attacking your senses. Art rock epics like “Given” and the beautifully strange “Mana Mout Ta Kleftopoula” really obliterate what was left of your expectations. Straight up rockers like the Rilo Kiley-esque “The Weather and Driving” prove that you can challenge the listener without having to go over 3 minutes.

The band lists their fair share of influences and wears them proudly. The “Built to Spill” short instrumentals combine well with the longer Mogwai epics. With great drums and riffs at times Smashing Pumpkins also get a nod, while the folky vocals recall the olden days. And did I mention Rainer Maria? In fact, although “What Goes on Inside Houses” only contains 9 tracks, it manages to encompass all that is good in modern rock music, while still keeping a fresh outlook on things.

Bottom line: If you like your music interesting, this is the one for you.

Polyethylene - Thorman Wood Warmed Nights

Polyethylene - The Weather and Driving

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Posted on April 28, 2007

Comments

8 Responses to “Polyethylene: What Goes on Inside Houses”

Johnny on April 28th, 2007 8:26 pm

I think you should do a review on Zachary Allen. I think he’s the future of music. LOL!

http://www.quixoticals.com/2007/04/zachary-allen-sings-candyman.html

Neal on April 29th, 2007 12:52 pm

Thank you for the review. It is so flattering I don’t know what to say. We really appreciate it!

-Neal

Charbarred on April 29th, 2007 2:32 pm

Thanks you Neal. Keep up the good work.

mozzer on April 30th, 2007 10:00 am

Char, I’m really digging this group! I can’t tell you how awesome “Thorman Wood Warmed Nights” sounds. I love how the song goes from sparse to layered and back again. Just when you think it’s over, it taps you on the shoulder and says,”Oh you liked that? Ok, here’s a bit more.”

Sadly, the CD is out of stock right now. Shall we chalk that up to the “The Plugg effect”!?!?!

geekgasmic.com on April 30th, 2007 10:13 am

The Plugg - Polyethylene: What Goes on Inside Houses

I have a feeling you’re here to experience something a little more challenging…Fair enough, have you heard of Polyethylene?

Charbarred on April 30th, 2007 11:41 am

@mozzer, thanks for that, glad to see I’m not the only one who thinks these guys are awesome.
As for “The Plugg effect”, I sure hope we’ve managed to help out a bit.
Try emailing the band directly, I’m sure they must have at least one copy laying around with your name on it.

Rich on April 30th, 2007 5:52 pm

Hey Mozzer, we have a new batch of cds hopefully ready for us tomorrow so cdbaby will get some right away or you can come to our site at http://www.polyethyleneband.com. We’re really glad you enjoyed Thurman Wood Warmed Nights. It’s a favorite of the album so we put it right up front. And thanks Charbarred for ‘The Plugg Effect’!

Rich