Much has changed in the PVT camp since their inception. First, they lost the vowels in their name due to legal issues, trimming it down from Pivot (though they still pronounce it Pivot). Second, they’ve introduced vocals into their formula beginning with their last album Church With No Magic, their first album that wasn’t entirely instrumental. Third, they’ve shifted away from the post-rock, jazz influences of their early work to a more electronic sound of synth, sequencers, and extremely proficient drumming from Laurence Pike. Though they were once championed as the next big thing from Australia, subsequently signing to a prestigious label, things didn’t quite unfold as planned. Undaunted, PVT still forges ahead, constantly refining their sound.
A dark, moody, and sometimes haunting listen, PVT uses rhythms in an unorthodox fashion to create sounds that despite being very electronic based still remind you of rock bands like Radiohead, The Cure, and Queens Of The Stone Age. However, they rarely stay in one place for very long, and each song yields new surprises. The lethargic “Shiver” shows PVT at their most eerie, sounding similar to something Thom Yorke would write, though “Nightfall” is a more pop-focused tune with a chorus that is mainstream ready. Even more different is the gothic sounding, hypnotic “Electric,” where guitars and synth collide together with nice backing vocals.
PVT knows how to manipulate sounds well, such as title track “Homosapien,” which brings samples to the table and some interesting vocal effects. “Casual Success” on the other hand sticks to traditional instruments, putting more emphasis on the fuzzed out bass and hooky synth. Mostly a high-energy disc, the album does exit on “Ziggurat,” a languid moment that leaves you feeling as if you just woke up from a dream.
Interestingly, for a band whose use of vocals is still somewhat new, you get a mixture of ’80s style singing, falsetto moments, and echoed singing from Richard Pike. It makes you wonder why PVT was vocal-less for so long considering how well this is executed. While certainly not a game changer in the area of electro-rock, this is still miles above most of their peers and well worth a listen for any fan of the genre.
