PONDEROSA
''MOONLIGHT REVIVAL''
2011
43:31
1/Old Gin Road
Jonathan Thomas Hall / Kalen Nash/3:37
2/I Don't Mind
Kalen Nash/3:59
3/Pistolier
Jonathan Thomas Hall / Kalen Nash/3:41
4/Hold on You
Jonathan Thomas Hall / Kalen Nash / Kristoffer Sampson/4:54
5/Little Runaway
Kalen Nash/3:47
6/Pretty People
Kalen Nash/3:34
7/Girl I've Ever Seen
Jonathan Thomas Hall/4:43
8/Revolution
Kalen Nash/3:54
9/Broken Heart
Jonathan Thomas Hall / Kalen Nash / Kristoffer Sampson/4:29
10/Penniless
John Dance / Jonathan Thomas Hall / Kalen Nash / Kristoffer Sampson/3:32
11/Devil on My Shoulder
Kalen Nash/3:21
Kalen Nash/Lead Vocals, Guitar
John Dance/Keyboards
Jonathan Thomas Hall/Bass, Vocals
Kris Sampson/Lead Guitar
Darren Dodd/Drums
REVIEW
by Steve Leggett
Ponderosa are a new band, but not a band feeling its way to a mature sound and style -- Ponderosa are already fully developed on Moonlight Revival, the group’s debut album on New West Records. Sounding at times like a blend of the Black Crowes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Tom Petty, all with just a dash of country tossed in, this Atlanta-based band delivers first-rate songs with verve, joy, energy, and attitude, due in no small part to lead singer Kalen Nash's poised and assured vocals. Everything works here -- the vocals, the guitars, the little piano touches. The opener, “Old Gin Road,” could play anywhere on today’s radio dial, from new country stations to alternative rock stations. It features crisp guitars, great hooks, and a solid lead vocal from Nash, and it’s no accident that it’s the band’s first single. But it might not even be the best song on the album. “I Don’t Mind" is just as good, and “Pretty People,” driven by a Stones-like guitar riff and British Invasion harmonies, is arguably even better. Oh, and then there’s “Revolution,” which sounds like the rocking political song Tom Petty has always wanted to write, and the warm, back-porch folk/bluegrass feel of “Penniless,” which shows just how versatile and talented this band is. These guys are the real deal, and they’ve arrived fully formed. It’s difficult to imagine a better debut album this year.
BIOGRAPHY
by Steve Leggett
With a classic whiskey-soaked roadhouse sound, Atlanta-based Ponderosa began when singer and guitarist Kalen Nash met guitarist Kris Sampson at Atlanta’s Nickel & Dime recording studio, where Sampson was serving as head engineer. The two discovered a musical affinity and began tracking with area players J.T. Hall (bass and vocals), John Dance (organ and keyboards), and Darren Dodd (drums and vocals), quickly generating a raw but well-crafted version of Southern roots rock. Rosa (as the band is known to fans) was born. An independently released EP called Moonlight Revival appeared in 2010, but after a series of impassioned performances as the opening act for the Whigs, Shooter Jennings, Old 97's and others, and impressive appearances at the Austin City Limits and Voodoo Music festivals, the group was signed to New West Records. Working with producer Joe Chiccarelli, Rosa released their full-length debut, also called Moonlight Revival, on New West Records early in 2011, following it with the Dave Fridman-produced Pool Party a year later in 2012, which saw the band completely reverse its field and move in a anthemic psychedelic dream pop direction.
''MOONLIGHT REVIVAL''
2011
43:31
1/Old Gin Road
Jonathan Thomas Hall / Kalen Nash/3:37
2/I Don't Mind
Kalen Nash/3:59
3/Pistolier
Jonathan Thomas Hall / Kalen Nash/3:41
4/Hold on You
Jonathan Thomas Hall / Kalen Nash / Kristoffer Sampson/4:54
5/Little Runaway
Kalen Nash/3:47
6/Pretty People
Kalen Nash/3:34
7/Girl I've Ever Seen
Jonathan Thomas Hall/4:43
8/Revolution
Kalen Nash/3:54
9/Broken Heart
Jonathan Thomas Hall / Kalen Nash / Kristoffer Sampson/4:29
10/Penniless
John Dance / Jonathan Thomas Hall / Kalen Nash / Kristoffer Sampson/3:32
11/Devil on My Shoulder
Kalen Nash/3:21
Kalen Nash/Lead Vocals, Guitar
John Dance/Keyboards
Jonathan Thomas Hall/Bass, Vocals
Kris Sampson/Lead Guitar
Darren Dodd/Drums
REVIEW
by Steve Leggett
Ponderosa are a new band, but not a band feeling its way to a mature sound and style -- Ponderosa are already fully developed on Moonlight Revival, the group’s debut album on New West Records. Sounding at times like a blend of the Black Crowes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Tom Petty, all with just a dash of country tossed in, this Atlanta-based band delivers first-rate songs with verve, joy, energy, and attitude, due in no small part to lead singer Kalen Nash's poised and assured vocals. Everything works here -- the vocals, the guitars, the little piano touches. The opener, “Old Gin Road,” could play anywhere on today’s radio dial, from new country stations to alternative rock stations. It features crisp guitars, great hooks, and a solid lead vocal from Nash, and it’s no accident that it’s the band’s first single. But it might not even be the best song on the album. “I Don’t Mind" is just as good, and “Pretty People,” driven by a Stones-like guitar riff and British Invasion harmonies, is arguably even better. Oh, and then there’s “Revolution,” which sounds like the rocking political song Tom Petty has always wanted to write, and the warm, back-porch folk/bluegrass feel of “Penniless,” which shows just how versatile and talented this band is. These guys are the real deal, and they’ve arrived fully formed. It’s difficult to imagine a better debut album this year.
BIOGRAPHY
by Steve Leggett
With a classic whiskey-soaked roadhouse sound, Atlanta-based Ponderosa began when singer and guitarist Kalen Nash met guitarist Kris Sampson at Atlanta’s Nickel & Dime recording studio, where Sampson was serving as head engineer. The two discovered a musical affinity and began tracking with area players J.T. Hall (bass and vocals), John Dance (organ and keyboards), and Darren Dodd (drums and vocals), quickly generating a raw but well-crafted version of Southern roots rock. Rosa (as the band is known to fans) was born. An independently released EP called Moonlight Revival appeared in 2010, but after a series of impassioned performances as the opening act for the Whigs, Shooter Jennings, Old 97's and others, and impressive appearances at the Austin City Limits and Voodoo Music festivals, the group was signed to New West Records. Working with producer Joe Chiccarelli, Rosa released their full-length debut, also called Moonlight Revival, on New West Records early in 2011, following it with the Dave Fridman-produced Pool Party a year later in 2012, which saw the band completely reverse its field and move in a anthemic psychedelic dream pop direction.
