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Zodiac - Grain of SoulLabel: NapalmFormat: CD download Released: 2016 Reviewed By: Jack Mangan Rating: 7/ 10 |
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Taken from the top, the first few tracks of Zodiac's "Grain of Soul" appear to be a widely-appealing mix of bold, loud groove and melodic sensibility. The first three to four songs tap directly into your neck muscles, syncing them confidently to the beats. Unfortunately, unexpectedly, the music crashes through the guardrail at around track 5, and the rest of the album slides a slippery slope into redneck/Nickelback territory. . . which is weird, since Zodiac are German. It begins to feel like they're trying too hard to present badass swagger, and not trying hard enough to match their high quality bar on every song. The plummet is disappointing. Halfway through my first full album listen, I was all set to give these guys some raves. |
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Still, in an era when a handful of successes can cancel out large quantities of throwaway (or worse) songs, I can give Zodiac's album a thumbs up. There's no denying it; you will find something to like here. If "Grain of Soul" had been a 4-song EP, with only ‘Rebirth by Fire’, ‘Animal’, ‘Follow You’, and ‘Down’ (especially the first two) - - or if the rest of the songs lived up to the standard set by these - - then I'd have rated it much more enthusiastically. That review would have said something like, "Good, no-frills rock, with some influences from Wolfmother and Pearl Jam. I can't wait to hear more!" At their best, Zodiac rock with engaging, un-fancy, catchy hooks and pleasing, over-quick song snacks. There's definitely enough here for rock n' roll radio to embrace and propel them to commercial success. Zodiac could be on the brink of household-name status, I'd just like them to stop trying to mainstream rock appeal and just focus on what they do well. Hopefully it's in the stars for the next album.
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