The Other Side Of Zero

Elizabeth & the Catapult | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: October 25, 2010
• Release Date: October 25, 2010
• Label: Verve Forecast
• Copyright: (C) 2010 The Verve Music Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 45:21
• Genres:
  • Pop
• ASIN: B0047BVMVE
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,731 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sounding just as good, if a little grown up November 5, 2010

By Kenneth Koers

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

The first thing I thought when I listened to this CD is that it lacks the childish playfulness that made their first album such a unique listen. Taller Children But that didn't slow them down at all. Instead, their sound has matured into lush, full songs that are just as fun and enjoyable, but more melodic. They truly struck it outside the ballpark with this one. A true sign of the strength of this album, as I write this review while listening to it, is that I can't even narrow down which songs on it that I like best. I listen to one song, think, "Surely this must be the best on the album." I'll skip to the next, and think, "Nevermind, this one's better," for the course of the entire CD. The only other album I've ever thought that about is Adele - 19 (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook).

I let everyone I know in on the secret of Elizabeth and her Catapult, and every one of them has been as pleased as I have with fantastic music this group makes. Do yourself a favor and join the party.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars No Sophomore Slump For Elizabeth And The Catapult December 4, 2010

By Philip R. Heath TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

The Other Side of Zero is the sophomore offering from Elizabeth and the Catapult. I was excited to see this CD come out less than a year and a half after their debut Taller Children (see my review). Elizabeth and the Catapult not only avoided the dreaded sophomore slump, but they matched their debut in quality while also avoiding making a simple rehashed carbon copy. While Taller Children made me think of many other artists that I had heard, The Other Side of Zero simply sounds like Elizabeth and the Catapult. One thing that is definitely common across the two CDs is that Elizabeth Zimen's vocals are the centerpiece.

Some of the songs have a different edge such as "Time (We All Fall Down)" and "Worn Out Tune". The combination of the bass notes on the piano and the drums in the opening give former a driven sense of urgency as Zimen sings about expectantly awaiting the return of her love. On the latter it is the opening guitar and drums along with the slightest trace of a snarl in Zimen's vocals. However things mellow somewhat on the chorus with the harmony that lends a touch of sadness to match the lines "All the saddest are the ones we just can't get enough/The ones we just can't get enough of." However "Go Away My Lover" might have the sharpest edge to it of any of the songs. It is a duet where Zimen and Jeff Taylor trade verses and/or lines representing a couple who have had it with each other. The drums and the whistling add tension to create the right mood for the song.

However it is not all angst on The Other Side of Zero. The whimsical "The Horse And The Missing Cart" is one of the songs that provides balance. In contrast the message here is more about slowing down and taking things easy. Zimen advises "Because you don't want to write that finishing line/Before you recall that arc in your mind/Careful not to be so careful before you step outside." The opening guitars are bluesy, and the harmonies on the chorus are warm. In addition my favorite song on the CD is the highly melodic "Open Book". It is sparsely instrumented with strings and unobtrusive drums and bass behind Zimen's vocals and piano. The lyrics relate the promise of no more games and secrets to a love interest. This song is in a word striking.

While I could go on, I think I said enough to give you an idea of what The Other Side of Zero is like. It is a progression from Taller Children that sees Elizabeth and the Catapult really come into their own. If you don't have their CDs, run don't walk to the checkout and buy them now. You won't be disappointed.

Download this: Open Book

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly worthy sophomore album November 10, 2010

By Richie Vanderlow

Format:Audio CD

I first saw this band open for another artist and I was so wowed by them immediately. They were better than the artist they preceded, and I have rarely experienced that. My wife and I bought their first CD that night and loved it. I fully expected the second album to be a let down, particularly if it tried to replicate the same magic only to fall into repitition. I'm very happy to say that Elizabeth and the Catapault have pleasantly surprised me again. This is a very logical next step, but bold nonetheless. Ziman's voice is a bit chameleon-like in certain songs, and always unique. To get a bit stereotypical, I don't usually enjoy 'girl' bands, mostly because I just don't identify with what they're singing about, but lyrically Ziman is pretty universal and mature beyond her years. I can't say this is an about-face turn from Taller Children, but it's pretty different and appropriately so. How is this band not hitting it big yet?