Polvo: Shapes (emerald green) LP

After a brief interruption, Polvo reconvened to record Shapes, their final album, released in September of 1997. The record continues in the vein of Exploded Drawing, weaving plaintive vibes, eastern passages and rip roarin' freakouts in a pastiche eluding basic classification. The opening track "Enemy Insects" is a subterranean lurker; shimmering stabs of guitar competing with discordant chugs. "Downtown Dedication" is a dazed panoptic of old soul, farfisa leads, wahwah washes and a touch of Jimi. "El Rocio" serves as an epilogue of sorts for the band; a somber, chilling instrumental that wanders curiously as it showcases Polvo's full palette, every ringing tone and chiming string.