The Ponys - Turn The Lights Out

In musical stables, thoroughbreds reign supreme. Galloping to the top of the charts, immaculately groomed stallions are the apple of their cash-hungry owners' eyes. But what of a young foal striving to make its way on the racetrack of rock? So far, Chicago-based quartet The Ponys have been running the distance, only to stutter at the final hurdle. And with the release of Turn The Lights Out, their artful garage-pop is once again set to falter before the winning post. Shooting brightly from their markers with the echoic hook of 'Double Vision' and the title track's multi-coloured queasiness, the band hit the wall with the overbloated complexity of 'Shine'. A lacklustre blend of Pavement and BRMC, the sterility of 'Exile On My Street' and 'Harakiri' combine to ruin a sprightly start. And even with 'Pickpocket Song's frantic late charge, The Ponys are just neigh quite strong enough to be real contenders. [Billy Hamilton]