(Universal)
Herald rating: * * *
Review: Russell Baillie
Truth be told, I hadn't been looking forward to the debut album by Zed among the recent traffic jam of local releases. The Christchurch guitar pop trio-now-quartet have just seemed so peachy-keen, so sweet, so edge-free, so - on the strength of their singles
thus far - irritatingly catchy. Even their name sounded like it had been tailored to radio-friendliness.
But much of their debut album is highly persuasive - even without any artificially good mood that might be caused by New Zealand Music Week - and consistent.
Clearly, they have instinctive melodic talents beyond their years, and the album shows there's life and depth beyond the hits.
However, the album's lavish production (by the Oz rock-experienced David Nicholas) can often sound like over-saucing a half-baked song. Unfortunately there's two of those up front.
Lead track Renegade Fighter isn't helped by frontman Nathan King's singing, "I'm a lover, I'm a renegade fighter ... gonna set you set your soul on fire" (frankly, we've seen what you look like and we don't believe you).
Then Driver's Side which comes on like an expensive hybrid of Smells Like Teen Spirit crossed with Suicide Blonde. Dumb chorus, too, the bad sort of dumb chorus.
But then, Zed are on the upswing. They've smartly rerecorded the early singles, which means their big hit, Glorafilia, has less of a dopey grin about it, Oh Daisy becomes endearingly silly 60s beatpop and I'm Cold goes a bit hip-hop.
Among the unheard highlights are ballads like He's Sad (think the Stereo Bus fronted by, er, Bryan Adams) and the Oasis-lite of Come On Down.
And there's a riveting line in both exuberant pop-rockers, including Unseen and In My Mind, while the broody, dreamy five minutes-plus of SPS is a dramatic highlight.
No, sometimes the lyrics aren't as thought-out as the guitar chords they supply with them (nice major to minor transitions there, young man).
But the album has energy, fine tunes and a balance of sunny pop disposition with just enough rock for us old folks up the back.
Yep, Silencer sounds like a bought one. And you can bet it will be.
