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ZZG: Trapped in the Mirror

Progressive Rock

4.0/5.0

Independent/Self-promotion
www.myspace.com/zzgband
Review: Craig Hartranft,  07.26.2010

Australian band ZZG could have named themselves ROS, 'real old school,' as they are firmly rooted in pre-1980's rock, particularly progressive rock. Their self-produced debut Trapped in the Mirror reflects the era and many great influences. Echoes of Deep Purple, Wishbone Ash, King Crimson, and maybe even a little Frank Zappa and The Talking Heads can be heard throughout this work.

For the Sky is an unadulterated true rock song with a solid and foreboding bass line. C'Mon Now merges a similar rock vibe with an ethereal space rock feel in the second half. Defining Tom Go to Bed may be a little more problematic: rock, funk, and swing make for clever toe-tapping number. Floydian Slip is not what you think, or at least not in my opinion, sounding more like Wishbone Ash meets the Talking Heads. But that latter characteristic may be to infectious here as Daniel Roberts sounds like a evil merger between David Byrne and Ric Ocasek (Cars). I dig Ocasek's vocals, but David Byrne and the Talking Heads I can do without most any day. (Never could understand what the big deal was with them anyway.) So it seems as I listened to Trapped in the Mirror, my mind kept wandering to a distasteful place.

Nevertheless, the originality of the music, and ZZG's attempt to reflect and re-imagine early rock, is what really shines here. Far from the mainstream, and certainly no where near current modern rock trends, ZZG's Trapped in the Mirror is an interesting, innovative and entertaining platter of retro progressive rock. Recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Far from the mainstream, and certainly no where near current modern rock trends, ZZG's Trapped in the Mirror is an interesting, innovative and entertaining platter of retro progressive rock.

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Here's a fun fact about Swiss legends, Gotthard: their last 16 releases, excepting their debut album, went to number one in their home country, making them one of Switzerland's most successful acts and ... [ Read More ]