New Pop Sunday is the third studio album by the American rock band Sponge, released in 1999 through Beyond.
Production Sponge recorded most of New Pop Sunday while they were still with Columbia Records. The label was not interested in releasing it however, so the band decided to finish the album themselves, re-recorded it, then released it through Beyond instead. The original version of the album was shelved for over 25 years before being released on vinyl as Planet Girls on April 20, 2024 for Record Store Day.
Critical reception The Morning Call wrote that "New Pop Sunday includes a mix of subtle, catchy numbers. But there are a few brawny raveups, such as the potent 'Planet Girls' and the hook-laden 'Radio Prayer' [sic]." Trouser Press noted that "lacking Rotting Piñatas hooks and Wax Ecstatics grimy charm, New Pop Sunday is fairly forgettable."
The Detroit Free Press deemed the album "refreshingly decent," writing that "rough-edged guitars are stretched wide, chiming guitars looped and echoed, vocals reverbed into liquid." The Journal Gazette declared: "Sponge is an imitation of an imitator; they are chronically infatuated with those Pearl Jam-pilferers Stone Temple Pilots." AllMusic wrote that the album "finds the band embracing their pop, hard rock, and arena rock roots, creating an old-fashioned hard rock platter that sounds completely out of step with the late '90s." and noted "In a way, that's refreshing".
Track listing
Band members Vinnie Dombroski - vocals Michael Cross - guitars, backing vocals Tim Cross - bass, backing vocals Joey Mazzola - guitars, backing vocals Charlie Grover - drums
Additional personnel Erik C. Casillas - art design Gary Malerba - photography The Left Bank Organization - management Gerald Margolis & Barry Mallen - legal affairs (Manatt, Phelps & Phillips) Bernie Gudvi - business management (Gudvi, Chapnick & Oppenheim) Brian Greenbaum - Booking agent (CAA) Steve Hall - mastering Rich Alvy, Andy Patalan & Mike Lutz - engineering assistants Randy Nicklaus - A&R
Additional musicians Horns on "Disconnected": Johnny R. Evans, Kenneth Robinson, John R. Paxton Rick Melick - keyboards on "Live Here Without You"
References