Customer Reviews

Broadcast to the World

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Okay, lets set the facts straight first. This is Zebraheads first record with new singer Matty Lewis, who is argueably less talented than former Co-frontman Justin Mauriello. This is Zebraheads 4th album, discounting the Yellow album and Waste of MFZB. In their 'debut' album, Waste of Mind, we saw funky basslines, a unique blend of reggae, punk, and funk, and the at-the-time popular 2 frontmen. It was a mindblowing album. POTY followed, it introducing a more pop-driven Zebrahead, with even more catchy lyrics then their debut. MFZB came around, and Zebrahead no longer had the funky basslines and their original patented OC punk-reggae sound.

But it was a phenominal album. It was labeled as being 'Pop Punk,' and whatever the hell that is, they one-uped all the other Blink ripoffs easily. Then their singer Justin left, and Matty came in. Matty sounds like Justin... but doesn't seem to have that powerful, booming depth that Justin displayed at times. Despite that, 'Broadcast' delivers the same delightfully ear friendly tunes that MFZB so beautifully displayed. As if yearning to be the band they once were, you can still see the funk influences in BTTW, however only in one song, "Back to Normal."

The title song and "Karma Flavored Whiskey" are hard hitting songs with an almost metal edge to them. "Here's To You" is one of the catchiest songs Zebrahead has ever written. The first single, "Anthem" is amazing to sing along to.

But heres the catch: MFZB was a downright jawdropping album. Their were no "bad" songs. BTTW continued the new, faster paced, angstier Zebrahead flow, however, it argueably does have a few "bad" songs. The last 2 tracks are snoozers. "Enemy" tries to mix things up, with Zebrahead setting a darker atmosphere, but it fails.

Bottom line? If you LOVED MFZB, you'll thoroughly enjoy BTTW. But MFZB still is the better of the two.

I just got Broadcast to the World. I was disapointed when I heard they had a new lead singer, but after just one song I'm tottaly sold on the new guy. I love the album, its got everything you love from the old albums. Buy it.

I don't get it? Everyone says that zebrahead has changed so much. And they're exactly right. they have changed. But it seems everyone wants to hang on to something that can't stay the same forever. Music is about progression. You can't listen to music in a vaccuum. Bands progress, music evolves and changes. What does everyone expect? I happen to think that the new music is very good. The guitar parts especially. Even with justin's departure, the music hasn't really changed THAT much. It's kind of like falling in love with someone and then when they change your like, "this isn't the girl i fell in love with, what's going on here?" My point is, things change, you have to change with it.

I never was a real Zebrahead-fan, but when I recently heard their latest single, I thought "wow, what happened to these guys?".

A new singer, that's what happened. And a real good one, too.
Since I love the first single 'anthem' so much, I picked up the album and soon discovered that this cd is a real trip to memory lane.

It sounds like the punk-rock of the mid-nineties, the period of the better Nofx, Blink-182, Rancid and Millencolin albums, just to name a few.
I really love that kind of punk-rock, especially if the music has a little uptempo ska-influence, like this album here does.

It's good to see that there are some bands left that are not into the currently popular emo-style punk-rock. I hope many will appreciate this album and that some other bands will follow these guys into making 'proper' punk-rock again.


*If you like mid-90's punk-rock you will love this album, a real gem!*

With thier debut of Matty Lewis on vocals they have proven to be the same Zebrahead without justin as a front man. The album has the agression of MFZB with the lead work of older zebrahead. without a doubt buy this album. you wont be disapointed.

If you are like me you'll resist getting this album because Justin M.'s not there and they got this new guy and they'll probably make some weak attempt to produce music as good as they did in the past. Well, so glad to disappoint you 'cause this album is Zebrahead at it's finest. After a few listens Broadcast To The World will have you jumpin' up and down like it was Playmate of The Year all over again. Their new singer Matty holds his own with good sound and energy and yeah, maybe he does sound a little like that dude from that one band, but at times I thought he sounded like Justin M.,too. This album really answered a lot of questions I had about Zebrahead, because they truly are one of my favorite bands, and I was so reluctant to get it due to fear that it wouldn't live up to the quality of their past albums. But boy does it feel good to be dissappointed, because Zebrahead straight represent on this one, and I can only be excited and optimistic about anything that Zebrahead puts out in tha future. Word to your moms.

What, suddenly because there's a new lead singer they're not good anymore? Yeah, right. This cd still has the unique sound that made Zebrahead such an awesome band in the first place. Besides, Anthem is undeniably one of their best songs of all time. It's right up there with Wasted and Rescue Me.

If you are a Zebrahead fan or just trying it for the first time let me tell you this, THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST CDS TO OWN!!!! In their debut in 1998 the band Zebrahead had created there first cd, Waste of Mind. A Rap/Rock cd with very catchy lyrics took people by storm. And even though none of Zebrahead's cd had never been like there other cds yet had some links between each other, Broadcast to the World trys new ideas and still keeps their same funky, catchy style. (Even though Justin, the former band leader and creater.)

MFZB was probably the best pop-punk record released in 2003, with unique dual vocals and better hooks than most bands can say they've ever written. With the release of Broadcast To The World, two things become evident. 1) Justin is no longer in the band. 2) Zebrahead have lost alot of the hip-hop/funk element that made them so unique. Broadcast To The World is not a bad record by any means, but after such a stellar LP like MFZB, I was expecting ALOT more! The hooks here are catchy, but at the same time, they just aren't as memorable as the ones on past releases. I really tried to get into matty's singing voice too, but he sounds so much like simple plan's Pierre that it's almost hard to ignore. The production as a whole is nothing to write home about either, although, to be fair, I've heard alot worse.

If you caved and bought the record months ago when it came out, you got two b-sides/ bonus tracks. If you waited, pat yourself on the back. Both Riot Girl and Down In Flames are two of the worst Zebrahead b-sides I've ever heard.

1. Broadcast to the world 3/5
2. Rated U for ugly 3/5
3. Anthem 5/5 (favorite)
4. Enemy 4/5
5. Back To Normal 4/5
6. Postcards From Hell 3/5
7. Karma Flavored Whiskey 3/5
8. Here's To You 4/5
9. Wake Me Up 4/5
10. Lobotomy For Dummies 3/5
11. Walking Dead 4/5
12. Your New Boyfriend Wears Girl's Pants 5/5

Broadcast to the World is one of Zebrahead's best albums, in my opinion. While it was sad to see Justin Mauriello leave, the band has done a spectacular job of picking itself up with these tracks.
Some songs are edgey and wonderfully heavy, such as "Wake Me Up", while others are catchy and upbeat, such as "Here's to You" or the popular "Anthem". The only one that seems to fall short is "Your New Boyfriend Wears Girl Pants", as the rap lyrics are slower and slightly out-of-place.
Matty Lewis's vocals are very good, though Justin seemed like an inseperable member of Zebrahead. This album bears a strong resemblence to MFZB, so if you liked that album, you'll probably like this one- unless you're still upset over Justin's departure.