November 17, 2001

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ZERO ZERO AM GOLD REVIEW
Zero Zero, a band made of former members of Lifetime, a New Jersey hardcore punk band, shifts gears with AM Gold, a strange brew of electronica. Harkening back to a different time -- most likely the time of our parents and grandparents -- AM Gold, released by Jade Tree, celebrates what else: the great hi-fi sounds from the '60s that we don't really mind forgetting about. However, Zero Zero reincarnates these long-dead sounds from yesteryear's AM radio into a memorable album.

The music on this album is old sounds backed by a new-wave beat and the smooth, soft vocals of lead singer Ari Katz. When Zero Zero's progressive sound works, it works very well. The album begins with "True Zero", a peppy little tune. Other good songs include "Xanadu," "Back to Hell" and "Team Minus Zero."

Zero Zero seems part Elvis (the post-1977 one), Stereolab and lots of other influences tossed in. The good songs sound great. However, some clunkers such as "Pink and Green" and "Speed Garage" sound like a lot of other music in similar styles and genres and get way too repetitive, almost to the point of being annoying.

This band makes an extreme shift of style on this album, and it's as if their car broke down, and they got left in the '60s. And the hi-fi-esque sound is definitely not for everyone. However, you must give the band credit for taking a risk and making an experimental-sounding album, and Zero Zero's album is a good one. Although this retro style does not always work on AM Gold, when it does, it's a great thing to hear. Zero Zero's AM Gold might not become part of your permanent rotation of music, but the album definitely has a couple of memorable songs with a powerful, unique style.

PUBLICATION
Agouti Music

AUTHOR
Zack

DIRECT LINK TO ARTICLE
http://www.agouti.com/bands/zerozero/amgold/amgold.htm