We’re keeping the week rolling with PNW new releases with The Zags’ The Cliff, released last Friday. First of all, dig that album art! I could barely stop staring at it long enough to write this review.
The Zags were formed in 2013. Original members and songwriters David Ricardo (guitar-vocals) and Stanton Hall (bass-vocals) added drummer Max Curry for The Cliff, the self proclaimed “(un)pop” trio’s third album.
“The Zags’ sound is melody-and-hook-focused, with an emphasis on strong vocals — both lead and harmony. They synthesize decades of pop and rock influences, garnering comparisons to Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Big Star, XTC, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Guided by Voices, and of course The Beatles. Zags tunes sound both classic and modern. “
From the band’s Facebook bio
The Cliff certainly wears the band’s influences on its sleeve. Songs like “A World Away” and “Icy Red” have the jangly, almost alt-country vibe of Big Star, while “Neither Nor” and “Broken Toy” both bring Elvis Costello to mind, with singer David Ricardo’s voice even sounding very Costello-like on the latter. The band nails that 70s powerpop sound, and though their influences are clear they still have a signature style of their own.
There are a few fun surprises on the album as well: “Catalina Serafina” with it’s minor key shuffle verses and perfect major key pop choruses full of harmonies and the sort of “ba-ba-ba”‘s that feel just as groovy and fun as The Turtles’ “Happy Together”, and “Wanna Wanna” which is a delightful romp of surfy instrumental that comes a bit out of nowehere, but is so fun I don’t mind a bit.
The production on the album sounds authentically analog (if it’s not, they did a great job making it sound like it is). It’s not a perfect, quantized autotuned recording and we always appreciate that real, raw rock n roll around here. The Cliff is well worth checking out, and The Zags are a standout in a city so heavily saturated with psych and garage bands- it’s good to see powerpop alive and well in Portland, OR.
The Zags will mark The Cliff’s release with a show on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Alberta Street Pub in Portland, supported by Dr. Something and JuneRose. Earlier that day, at 5 p.m., the band will play an in-store set at Music Millennium. POW will be attending so stay tuned for coverage from the shows!
Get The Cliff here
Follow the band:
@zagsbandpdx
