Country: U.S.A.
Label Number: NEG10
© 2011 Niji
Review by Rich Hobson for Uberrock.co.uk
The first time I came across Zebrahead was at Download
Festival 2008, awaiting another band and despite my initial misgivings -
I had the image of the band as being some teen-pop band masquerading as
a punk band, ala Blink 182 but the second they hit the stage it was
difficult not to enjoy the out and out party vibe and energetic
performance that the band put in onstage, and their music certainly had a
blast of diversity which set them apart from any of the other so called
"pop punk" acts that I'd heard in the past. Flash forward 3 years, and
the band are now releasing their 9
th album, further proof, if
needed that Zebrahead has what it takes to continually create great
sounding and original music and aren't just "a punk band that your mom
wouldn't mind listening to".
The album opens with 'Blackout', an Offspring like chart invading
punk rock tune with a feel-good, sing along once you know the words
chorus, a chorus which, though admittedly cheesy, is also catchy as hell
and it's difficult not to get caught up in the energy of the song and
warm to the band (and hence the album) instantly. Though the punk rock
side of the band is greatly showcased on this track, the band's
trademark infusion of hip-hop into proceedings isn't neglected, and
indeed the track also has all the "rapcore" sides to the band which has
set them apart from many of their contemporaries in the California punk
scene, meaning that 'Blackout' is a perfect and unabashed introduction
to the album which gives the listener a taste of what is to come, warts
'n' all.
Follow up 'Nothing To Lose' picks up the pace, and continues the
fusion of hip-hop vocals with a speedy punk rock backing, all leading up
to another chorus which is both catchy, and has great sing along
potential, in fact it's so cheerful and optimistic that if you don't end
up humming it to yourself at the very least, you must have a serotonin
imbalance in your brain (or are Morrissey, though I'm sure the two are
linked).
'She Don't Want To Rock' is less punk rock and more Kiss style
anthemic rock, and as background music to the hip-hop vocals works
perfectly, this track has more than a tad of an "A" sound to it, right
down to the balls-out sing along chorus, and the whole track has, dare I
say it, a "Bon Jovi leaning" more than say Offspring or Green Day.
'Ricky Bobby' puts the pace right back up to hyperactive levels,
kicking up a storm of energetic punk rock with a no holds barred thrash
out. This is no doubt the heaviest track of the album, and it's frantic
energy is perfectly utilised to really sucker punch you right after
between the eyes, and thus showing that the band are more than just
another group with great backing tracks and no substance. Zebrahead are
definitely a band that can hit just as hard as any of their
contemporaries whether it is The Offspring or Rancid.
The rest of 'Get Nice!' keeps the pace to a frantic punk rock party
level, and with choruses that seem perfectly engineered to incite a
riotous sing-along it's not difficult to imagine the album being a
mainstay of house-parties all over the world, especially when each track
flows seamlessly whilst still retaining a strong sense of diversity
that means the album won't just melt into one big hulking mass of
interchangeable background noise.
Overall 'Get Nice!' offers up enough punk rock guts to appease those
with a leaning to the heavier side of things, and proves that you don't
need coarse language or risqué suggestions to showcase that you have
hair on your chest, musically speaking at least. The album also
showcases rhythms so bouncy its difficult to stay rooted to the spot and
even the hip-hop vocals are pulled off in such a natural manner that
Zebrahead are able to differentiate themselves from the usual fare of
chart punk acts without trying too hard.
Musically then Zebrahead sound like America's answer to "A", which if
you're a big fan of the Manchester rockers, and find yourself suffering
the itch left by the 6 year absence of new material, will probably mean
'Get Nice!' being a must hear for you. The energetic delivery, strong
positive vibes and diverse musicianship all show that at their 9
th album in a 15 year career, Zebrahead is still sounding as strong and as fresh as they were when they first formed.
tags: zebrahead, get nice, 2011, flac,
