ZykosComedy Horn ( Post Parlo ); 2003
I may be in love. My brain really likes what it hears when I play 'Comedy
Horn', the debut release from this [Don't Mess with] Texas crew Zykos
(not to be confused with state-mates .. .and you will know us by the
trail of dead), and truth be told - it's stellar. As a favor to my brain,
I'm gonna dive right into it's favorite (and second) track on this cd,
a little piece entitled "Understanding Fire" - now this is
where it's at. Although this particular song contains very little humor,
and even less horns - we are very happy it made it on this album. With
a robotic high-hat & bass drum attack surrounded by a Galaxie 500-ish
sweep of guitars, "Understanding Fire" sounds everything like
a band with all the right records in their collection. Vocalist and
multi-instrumentalist Mike Booher has this voice that bends & twists
lyrics all around the music that surrounds them, and many times his
sentences become part of the sonic whirlwind that makes up most of 'Comedy
Horn'. My brain just reminded me that I have yet to mention that lush,
haunted piano that keeps accompanying these songs, so consider that
key element spoken for. On "Listening Pills", pianist Catherine
Davis adds her sweet voice and the results are wonderful (note: put
her more in the mix on album number two). The final track, "Typhoon
of '92", plays through like an oncoming storm only to drop off
and resurge for the final minute of one very fine debut album. Part
produced & mixed by Jim Eno, drummer for the Austin trio Spoon,
Zykos has all the right elements to add to your collection. Those not
in the know - seek them. |
ZegotaNamaste Crimethinc, 2002
First heard about this band through Kaleb. He had gone down to Chapel
Hill, NC to buy some cds and came across a band called Catharsis. Upon
hearing this band he also heard about a band named Zegota. He said the
guy told him this cd was unreal good hardcore, except Kaleb wasn't thinking
so when he heard the first track. You ever heard of Soulfly? 'Cause
this isn't them. But after hearing the first track, Mount The Skies,
you'd think so. Clocking in at 9 minutes and 27 seconds, this song is
a fucking epic. Almost half of that song is filled with tribal drums,
and low guitar in the background, some real odd sounding stuff. After
realizing, I spent almost 10 minutes on one track, and didn't notice,
I gave that song a little bit more credit. I was thinking the second
track would be a bit more like the first, but it was actually a minute
long. But it gives you a better idea of what this band is about. This
is the first time you hear the singer, and its a raspy, 'I just ate
a box of razors and my throat is bleeding so you can feel what im saying'
type of scream. I love it. I started to think to myself, this band has
something going for them. Then the third track came in and it sounded
like Jimi Hendrix playing the star-spangled banner. Now I'm wondering,
what kind of weird, off the wall shit did I buy now?? But, I kept on,
keeping on, and followed through the rest of the cd. I must say, I'm
blown away. I'm not big on instrumental songs, and this is full of them,
but I love it. After first thinking this was some weird wanna-be Soulfly
rip off, and actually completely reversing my opinion, I'm digging it.
To be honest, nothing I will say in this review will make a damn until
you hear the cd. It's one of the most unique, off-the-wall, tribal sounding
hardcore cds I've ever heard. Do your ears and brain a favor, spend
the 10.75 at interpunk.com and get this album. You won't regret it |
zzzzPalm Reader ( polyvinyl ) 2005! Steve Sostak may* have learned the basics on his saxophone in grade school, where he wowed the stands and backed the marching band.. .maybe*. It could have been at Notre Dame. He also may* have perfected his skill during his time in Sweep the Leg Johnny - *this is all speculation. All the while, Steve has carried his horn and vocals into the Chicago-era known as 2005 and made a new home alongside his fellow z's with zzzz (pronounced zzzz). Much like Sweep the Leg Johnny - the tales contained with the journal of zzzz aren't the easiest to dissect nor classify, but that's half of what makes them just this interesting, now isn't it. Palm Reader is the debut on Polyvinyl Records and it's safe to say the album is quite palm reader-ish. Hell, with opener "Assassination Polka" I'd need to provide a visual timeline to even begin describing the many tempo and beat changes the 4-minute composition scales. It's safe to say that each instrument listed (now's a good time to mention there are zero guitars on Palm Reader) gets maxed out - keys (z = Ellen Bunch!) from end-to-end and fretless bass (z = John Brady!) that rattles each loose part on the dash. Office favorite "Snowball" borders on the magical score (about the 1:30 mark) that accompanied the Goonies when they came across Chester C's stash - twinkles of electric keys, saxophone and studio ambiance get the job done. Palm Reader was produced by the same fine gent that has monitored the Paper Chase (John Congleton) and zzzz have shared the stages with tPC and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - if you're down / aware of the aforementioned bands, zzzz are going to fit quite well in the deck. Scattered emotions, rants ranging from sexual aggression ("Bandit King & Queen") to the evils of conscience ("2nd hand Smoke") and a treasure chest of equally genre-bending instrumentation await your troubled days. Don't thank me - thank Polyvinyl. The 7" split with labelmates Joan of Arc is inevitable - I can't wait.
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