From Brooklyn hails Pterodactyl, a band as hectic as their home. The four-piece, consisting of Joe Kremer, Matt Marlin, Jesse Hodges, and Zach Lehrhoff, recently released their third and most polished LP, “Spills Out”. The first two works from the band, a self-titled debut and 2009’s “World Wild”, were nothing short of adventurous, and I always dig what I can call adventurous.
The thing about Pterodactyl is that it’s hard to put your finger on what the music’s really doing, and therefore whether you actually enjoy their music or not. At first, it’s a spastic, percussive, flat out of control sprint that’s not easy to keep up with, especially on the first two albums. But “Spills Out” has received a stronger dose of pop, and so becomes a bit more accessible as far as melodies go. The creative, energetic drums remain; so do the experimental song structures and an overall quick pace. As far as I’m concerned, it’s all working together better and better.
The two opening tracks, “School Glue” and “Searchers”, are treated with truckloads of harmonies, but clever, provocative ones. The ones in “Searchers” not only add weight to the vocals but also introduce different dimensions that become critical to the melody. The backing vocals on “Hold Still” even incites a kind of Pet Sounds feel. “Allergy Shots” exchanges reverbed arpeggios for simpler fuzz riffs and megaphone vocals. It’s a decidedly darker tune, with an ominous chant letting you know that “the grass isn’t greener”.
My favorite track, however, turned out to be “Zombies”. It’s where all the things I like about Pterodactyl come together best. Percussion is slightly toned down, but no less active, its changes working almost subconsciously on the listener. Harmonies are sprinkled in well, and the vocals have the best and clearest mix on this track. The short instrumental breaks work well to allow the listener to catch onto the vocals before the heavy momentum returns. “White Water” is then a welcome change of pace. There are parts that remind me of a Roy Orbison melody that always escapes me. Lovely stuff.
What’s great about this album is that I think Pterodactyl have found a fantastic direction in which to keep heading. “Spills Out” is certainly my favorite of their albums to date, where their developed knack for the unobvious is met with some catchy hooks. The mix can at times be a little muddy, but the percussion is never boring, the vocals show an aversion to complacency, and the organization is experimental. Pterodactyl’s emerging combination of surprise and resolve is a balance that most bands covet. And the ones who don’t should.
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