Chewing Pine

Zs – Arms (Planaria, 2007)

(This originally appeared in the Spring ‘08 issue of Skyscraper)

Zs, when first glimpsed, don’t look like their music sounds. And probably that’s a cultural failing on my part for making assumptions. But in performance, members may don hooded sweatshirts and pants that one might refer to as tight. That belies the sound the group creates. Seeing them is closer to watching a chamber orchestra than a jazz or rock outfit. Arms finds the group adding an element that was lacking on Karate Bump but not during subsequent tours – vocals. “B is for Burning” begins the album and sounds as if the group is continuing in the same vein as previous efforts. The compositions are dense with notes and the percussion serves to accent the music, instead of directing it. Acknowledging of the no wavers before them, the following track sounds like James Chance slowed down before it turns to the drone of “Nobody Wants to Be Had”, which also sports vocals that impressively follow the guitar and sax melody. Even with the added vocal element, the band’s main objective is working with rhythm and timing. On every track odd meter or significant pauses work to disorient the listener. It’s disorienting in a pleasant and cerebral way though.

Tracklisting:
01 – B is for Burning
02 – Woodworking
03 – Nobody Wants to Be Bad
04 – Balk
05 – I Can’t Concentrate
06 – Except When You Don’t Because Sometimes You Won’t
07 – Z is for Zone