Review: The Zolas, “Tic Toc Tic”
Posted November 17, 2009 12:37 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Calling them the new New Pornographers might be a stretch, but dubbing Vancouver-based duo The Zolas a Canadian pop act worth watching is certainly apt and as the band’s debut album title – Tic Toc Tic – suggests, the rest might just be a matter of time.
Based loosely on the self-proclaimed idea of having your pop and eating it too, Zachary Gray and Tom Dobrzanski pump melodies in a manner which might remind some of A.C. Newman and company even if the comparison is a shot down the road from legitimacy.
Which isn’t to say the 12 tracks on Tic Toc Tic aren’t intensely singable. Nor for that matter, does it deny the band credit for songs drenched in irreverence and accessibility.
But these aren’t simple ditties, they’re well-crafted and well-delivered, even if the subject matter – social status, girls, bad dreams – constitutes a fairly comfortable basis for a pop album.
On the other hand the record was produced by Howard Redekopp, the man behind west coast indie heavyweights like Tegan And Sara and You Say Party! We Say Die!
Further, songs like “The Great Collapse” are poignant and vivid, while album-closer “Pyramid Scheme” demonstrates the duo’s willingness to experiment in timing, melody and delivery and serves as evidence of their curious but fruitful relationship which reaches back to their meeting as members of a Grade 9 choir.
Their Myspace bio boasts, “Coldplay meets The Clash,” and while that might be a bit much, bands like The Walkmen, White Rabbits and yes, the New Pornos will ultimately share a few fans with the Zolas, as long as time allows.
The Zolas play The Drake Underground Friday, Nov. 20.
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