TV Baby

PONY spent the first half-decade of their career dishing out a succession of pleasantly crunchy singles and EPs that blended the snarkier side of '90s grunge and alt-rock with the energy of pop-punk. Led by Toronto-based singer/guitarist Sam Bielanski, the project has cycled through its share of members in the years leading up to this full-length debut, but exists here as a hearty power trio thanks to ace rhythm battery Matty Morand and Lucas Horne. Most of the band's previous material came out on Canadian indie Buzz Records, but with TV Baby, they've expanded their reach by signing with Massachusetts label Take This to Heart. Bubblegum melodies abound across the album's ten tracks, which are played with a mix of grunge heft and pop punch. Bielanski's vocals are well suited to the material, ranging easily between moments of innocence and sass, especially on highlights like "Chokecherry," "By the Way," and "My Room." ~ Timothy Monger