great album
author: scott
Generally speaking the melodic American culture is turning into a re-run of itself. Musicians have seemed to have forgotten what music is at its core; art. ZT is a band that has the experience and determination to really set forth their own concept and take of what this art form really is; a melodic brainchild. Consisting of Zach and Zane Taylor (they share the same blood if you're curious), and Dave Morckel; ZT is a band that's a representation of themselves. Zach and Zane have pulled together everything that made their past projects so great and really came into their own with their debut album - Beer Can Superstar.
ZT's debut album "Beer Can Superstar" was created out of passion; passion for what they are doing and everything in between. "Walking the city streets/there's laughter from those I meet/'cause I'm from a small dumb town/nowhere is where I'm bound..or so they say, I disagree..." Zach chimes in during the first lines of the opener "Basement Blues". A soft melody that expresses the desire of fitting in and another persons definition of success but simultaneously telling the entire world that they just don't give a shit and they'll go about this concept of life however the hell they want. Towards the end it slows down even further, backed with harmonic vibrations, and telling the listener ; "I could have been worse".
"Chandelier" is the followup to the opener and in my opinion really sets the tone for the rest of the album; confusion. A complete loss of senses, a mind that is warped and in desperate need to feel something with the end result of this being a complete mental breakdown. The tone the band sets here is a bit frightening. From the percussion to the galactic brainwaves of the incredible guitar experimentation if there was a song that should be the soundtrack to a schizophrenics thought process it is this.
"I Don't Even Know" is a song where the title says it all. If I had to guess I would say it was something that was completely improvised at the start but turned into something bigger. In essence it's a divider of what this musical journey is turning into. "I'll see you in hell" is repeated throughout this short track and you're more than likely right, we'll see you in hell guys. The followup to this is in my opinion where the bands songwriting really shines through, "Nice Thought". A slow melody of thoughts and the dealings of what it is to be human. "Maybe life is wind, maybe we are leaves, living like as long we have the right season to" is a complete representation of the incredible songwriting that is behind ZT. The bands experimentation with their own sound is represented here and it doesn't disappoint. Zane's light percussion surrounding this amazing tune is what sets the tone alongside the repeating xylophonic vibes.
The human condition is the core of what is about to come. "Thinking in Circles" complements the song that follows; "When You're Spinning". The former however sounds like an experiment that could have been more than what it was, though it doesn't disappoint I do think that there was more potential. While the former is lacking a solid idea, the latter fully complements it. "When You're Spinning" seems to be a response to the track that came before it. A melodic acoustic ensemble is something that hasn't been prevalent on the album thus far, representing the diversity that ZT inherently represents. "Everyone is..." is a common phrase throughout "When you're spinning" and to me it represents the fact that were all the same when it comes down to brass tacks. It's tough to express negativity here, while I do think these two tracks complement the hell out of each other, it's the artists creation. Reviewing music is a tough thing to do, it's fucking art, and nobody but the creator has any right to judge because this is a creation that came from their hearts and throughout the album that is obvious as hell.
"Sunshine" is the start to what I like to think of as the third phase of Beer Can Superstar. Its theme seems to be about seeking the attention and approval of another person and Zach's haunting vocals with Zane's eerie percussion takes this song to a completely different level. Throughout the entire album there are multiple moments like "Sunshine" where you sit back, listen, and wonder what direction they are going in. While there has been a concrete sound and theme, this albums creativity is spot on. "Mood Painting" is a song where Zachs guitar really shines through, it builds upon itself, and throughout the entire track everything seems to build upon itself. The backing vocals add that ZT "sound" and give you a literal painting of said "mood".
"Inside" is the beginning of the end. Complementing the earlier themes of mental scarcity on a personal level while also touching on the other half of the equation. This song is a flat out jam. From the percussion, the backing vocals, the guitar melody, and the bass line; everything about this song complements the other. ZT does an incredible job ending it as well as a Hendrix style breakdown on guitar and slow fading it out. But the albums closer had perfect placement. "See You Later (I Will Miss You)" is the only song on the album that had any sense of an "influence" if you will. While I'm probably completely off on this one I think the song in general screams The Doors. Towards the end my brain might have gotten destroyed in some sort of other worldly battle going on within the track.
The flow and creativity of Beer Can Superstar was amazing. If you were fortunate enough to see these guys in their "Pup the Rabbit" days you can tell that their focus has increased dramatically. Not to say their old material wasn't good but to say they still lack a solid musical direction would be a flat out lie. The mind(s) behind the songwriting of ZT are incredible and being this early into their musical careers (and I say careers because THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO BE DOING) with potential such as this makes it hard to say anything else. Being a local and upcoming band in this day in age is a tough thing; while there are incredible resources via the internet for notoriety it still comes down to the fanbase. Hear that guys? The Fanbase. Spread the word! Lets help these guys out. Keep the tunes coming ZT.
Down to earth
author: Bobbie
This album is great!!! Buy it you wont regret it.
