Polyvinyl Records
2002
Enemies
About This Album
Although entirely instrumental, Pele has something very much in common with many of the bands who use vocals: They're an act best watched live. Surprisingly, this Milwaukee trio is killer on-stage, finding the groove early on, making sure the audience gets into it, and then improvising the hell out of the set and having a blast the entire time. Whether it's drummer Jon Mueller's crazy antics -- such as licking the kick drum or toying with balloons -- or bassist Matt Tennessen or guitarist Chris Rosenau running around on-stage, Pele is certainly not an act to be missed. And yet, it is a tough transition for all exciting live bands to carry that same energy into a recording studio and have it come through on the speakers. At the very least, on Enemies (their second album for Polyvinyl), Pele reaches the same mark of energy and excitement set on their Polyvinyl debut, The Nudes. At best, they're furthering that live energy into new dynamics (incorporating Jon Minor's computer work on the album, for example) and more creativity. Enemies starts with an upbeat tune, "Crisis Win," that comes bursting from the start with handclaps and a steady beat. The guitar, still reminiscent of The Nudes as far as sound and tone is concerned, delicately rises into the mix and away Pele goes.
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3,5,6 and 7)

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