Armed with eerie electronic samples, angry guitar riffs, and the haunting voice of Tommy Walter, Abandoned Pools makes a memorable debut on Extasy Records International with the new album, Humanistic. As ex-bassist of the innovative band The Eels, Tommy Walter serves as the creative force behind Abandoned Pools, playing most of the instruments, co-producing the album, and writing as well as singing all of the songs.
Humanistic proves to be the antithesis of the generic bubble-gum pop presently flooding the airwaves as it hosts a variety of dark, introspective and diverse melodies. The album offers a roller-coaster ride of emotion and style — you never know quite what to expect next as the songs progress. Abandoned Pools defy categorization due to the immense stylistic range Walter displays. Songs such as “Start Over” and “Ruin Your Life” are riddled with looped drumbeats and samples reminiscent of trip-hop bands like the Sneaker Pimps, while “L.V.B.D.” and segments of “Monster” rock out in angry guitar riffs.
While Walter’s whiny voice can be slightly grating at times, it manages to express his angst in a manner that complements the music. His lyrics are predominantly introspective and cynical as he explores the conformity and superficiality of people, while offering his own insight on the world. Walter is also inquisitive and searches for meaning, posing questions such as “If it’s God who made us, why are we so damn cruel? Can we start over?” in his song “Start Over.” The album grows on you as you listen to it, its inconsistency and lack of stability can sometimes be a little too much.
The standout song on the album is “Never.” This song is by far the most simple, placing Walter alone with his acoustic guitar to support melodies without the haunting electronic base.
Abandoned Pools’ Humanistic is a diverse and innovative mix of music that is perfect to listen to during a chill or introspective mood. It is an emotional adventure that is rich in angst and offers fascinating insight about the world.
— Shana Leonard
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