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The ZutonsWho Killed The Zutons? Deltasonic/Sony It would be all too easy to pigeonhole The Zutons with Deltasonic labelmates The Coral. Both bands share a 60s/70 sretrospective sound and a tendency to relate amusing tales through their songs, but once you get past the superficial similarities on first listen it becomes clear that The Zutons are in a different, bigger zone on the musical landscape. Without obviously ripping anyone off (unlike other bands that shall remain nameless), the Liverpool-based five piece manages to cover a fair amount of ground, from the frenetic exuberance of opener Zuton Fever to the country twang of Confusion and album closer Moons And Horror Shows. If you can't tell from the b-grade horror themed cover art, 'Who Killed The Zutons?' is all about fun rather than serious introspection. First up there's the sun-is-shining fun of Remember Me, with its chorus of "Gotta keep the feelin' / Keep the feelin' in" sounding very tongue in cheek despite singer Dave McCabe's later entreaty of "this is not a joke, old friend". You Will You Won't is an addictive sixties-style stomp number and the rollicking chase theme Havana Gang Brawl help complete what will likely be one of the most enjoyable albums of the year. While 'Who Killed The Zutons?' is no sprawling epic, The Zutons have succeeded in creating just what they intended to; a cohesive, satisfying record without any filler whatsoever. While most of the record's tracks share common elements (witty storytelling, fun grooves), every track stands well on its own. At the same time the album as a whole holds its own without any trouble. Key to the Zuton sound is the youngest and newest member: saxophonist Abi Harding. Her omnipresent horns, along with her occasional harmony vocal, help create an entirely different atmosphere from that of most other bands and her punctuated, stabbing sax blasts (as in Pressure Point) and her decending melody lines (up against a Jew's harp in the verses of Nightmare Part II) make all the difference to the sound. I recently read that Anastacia had claimed the invention of what she had dubbed "sprock": a fusion of soul, pop, and rock. Well, The Zutons have gone and beaten her; they've added funk, country and more besides to the list, and succeeded brilliantly. On their debut album, no less.  |
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