Who Killed...... The Zutons [ENHANCED]

The Zutons

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 19, 2004)
• Original Release Date: October 19, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00064ADWU
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,468 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
If merry Liverpudlians the Zutons really do have aspirations to marry Talking Heads with Sly and the Family Stone they fail miserably on Who Killed the Zutons?. There's a riot going on this debut album, but there's no bloodshed, just a mobbish custard pie confrontation between differing factions of pop history. Putting gimmickry to the fore, the Zutons start the album with their Monkees-styled theme tune "Zuton Fever", which could well be a cartoon voodoo version of Echo and the Bunnymen. Then the fun begins: obvious touchstones are the British invasion R&B of the Spencer Davis Group and the Animals (stompers such "Long Time Coming" and "You Will You Won't" are convincing vintage soul fakes) coupled with that awkward evolutionary blip in the 60s when white soulboys went psychedelic (see Zoot Money and Dantalion's Chariot). Add on some ghoulish surf guitars and creepy stuff about zombies, food poisoning and tropical diseases to keep fans of the Cramps happy and then append with the cheapest toy sax in rock since Laura Logic's punk parpings with X-Ray Spex. It works. Even so, the melancholic moments are the best, among them the Kinks-tinted, rainy-day ennui of "Not a Lot to Do" and the cruel-to-be-kind kiss-off of "Confusion" ("from day one, I led you on"). --Kevin Maidment

Product Description
Beefheart worshipping Scousers with a penchant for skiffle-ridden pop. 'Who Killed The Zutons?' is quite possibly the best debut album to arrive from Liverpool since the La's proved there was more to the city than Lennon & McCartney. Energetic, inventive & constantly surprising, this is destined to be one of the albums of the year. Deltasonic. 2004. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zutons are good "for your bones and your brain...", January 25, 2005

By	P. Freeman (Elsmere, KY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First of all, just to let you know, I am 50 years old. I have been buying new music, cutting-edge music, non-main stream music for years. OK, for decades. My kids, and their friends are in shock when I put one of "my" CD's into the player, they can't believe I am so old, but so up-to-date. Listening to XM Radio helps and it was there that I caught "Pressure Point". It caught my ear because I vaguely remembered it from a TV commercial. The song, in its entirety, made me want to pull over my car and get out and dance with joy. I hadn't bought a CD in months. Now, out of the muck of MTV music copycat sameness, came the freshest, new song I had heard for over a year. I had to buy the CD and I listen to it at least 5 times a week, and I never get tired of it. Here's my rule of thumb for what I like : if I can't describe it or categorize it when I'm telling someone about it, I like it! And that's the Zutons. It seems Liverpool is going through a rock renaissance and out of that, the Zutons were born! I've read other reviews comparing them to Franz Ferdinand, Snow Patrol, the Coral etc. etc. No. Sorry. You can't compare them. Don't waste your time trying. As the Zutons sing "don't ever think too much". The lyrics are quirky, odd. The music, especially the saxophone is raw and makes you want to sing along. There seems to be a fascination with physical condition, with references to "bones, brains, flaky skin". Their writer would make for an interesting interview. Anyway, take it from this old man - buy "Who Killed?...the Zutons" It's addictive. When they finally come across the pond and come to my area, I may be the oldest fan in the crowd. And I'll be loving every minute of it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who can beat.... the Zutons?, December 10, 2004

By	Mr. M. Wafer "Piccolobond, A Happy Customer" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The answer is not many people. The Zutons, it must be said, are a band in their infancy, still finding their sound - but it also must be said, they are astounding. There isn't a song on their debut album that I didn't love; every single one is catchy or attractive in one way or another. It's really hard, as many have said, to label their music - they seem to combine Rock, Soul, Funk, Ska & Country types of music.
Let's go in-depth, as this seems more logical.

1.) Zuton Fever - Lovely intro, displaying their heavier rock tendancies, with a thrashing riff White Stripes-esque. The vocalist, Dave McCabe, is as always fantastic - he has a bit of Axl Rose in him for sure. 9/10

2.) Pressure Point - Again another rock anthem, very good and a lovely intro. It has to be said their soul/motown twists appear when all the band chip on on vocals to support Dave as a chorus, and it works fantastically. 8.5/10

3.) You Will You Won't - One of my favourites, definately; a sing-along funk-rock song, along the lines of Red Hot Chili Peppers... but then, not so. It's very hard to label them. I suggest listening to this as you'll probably like it instantly; some of the others take a few hearings before they really take off in your head.(or maybe that's just me)10/10

4.) Confusion - A quiet folk-rock song, could even be compared to Simon & Garfunkel? It's getting even harder to compare them as I go along. This is a good song for those who prefer quiet tracks. 8/10

5.) Havana Gang Brawl - This is possibly the hardest to label; let's just say it's very good, lots of nice guitars on it. 8.5/10

[I'll skip track 6, which is Interlude, a 30-second peice with violins and an acoustic guitar, and skip to the best track]

7.) Railroad - Without a doubt my favourite on the whole album, about a Chinese worker constructing the Transamerican Railroad. (If that's the name, something like that lol) It starts off as a lovely folk love song, and then grows into a country sing-a-long at the end - you just have to listen to this song, right to the end, to see what I mean. 11/10.

8.) Long Time Coming - I like this one alot, too; it gives the Saxaphonist alot more musical space. It's definately a Rock-Ska track and has a wonderful[ly loud] chorus, with McCabe showing some excellent vocals with a wonderful electric guitar beat. 9/10

9.) Nightmare Part II - Another fantastic song - the drums here, like in "You Will You Won't" are just superb; it can be said it's the heavy drum beats that set the songs apart. Really good. 8.5/10

10.) Not A Lot to Do - Another Folk/Country song, with other vocalists backing Dave up again - this Motown-esque chorus type is very effective -even when doing the softest folk song, the Zutons find a way to pick it up and they do, as it grows louder and puts yet again more emphasis on the Saxaphonist. 8.5/10

11.) Remember Me - the Skariest(Bad pun, considering it's cover... lol) song around, with country and rock thrown in for good measure; it's the sad story of a man who's best friend has deserted him for the girl of his dreams. But the Zutons are not intent on keeping you down; it's infectiously catchy and definately won't spread the unhappiness. 9/10

12.) Dirty Dancehall - Another staggeringly well-crafted song, with the drums and guitars out in full force; a Rock-Funk-Jazz song which is very, very good, including an exceptional chorus which you can't help singing along as it get's louder and louder.
Fabulous. 10/10

13.) Moons & Horror Shows - Despite the odd title, another hit from the Zutons. Their lovely Saxaphonist Abi lends her vocals to duet with Dave in the most Countryish song on the album, which alot of people didn't like. It sounds like a lullaby, admittedly, but it's still good. 8/10

And so there you have their epic debut album - and what a fantastic album it is. I recommend you go out and purchase this immediatly; if you don't like it, heck I'll pay for it. I would sincerely recommend this to people.
Absolutely excellent. :D

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Creative Band, February 5, 2005

By	A. Nires "Diverse Music Lover" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Last night, I went to go see Keane in concert. They are an awesome band! The Red Walls and The Zutons opened for Keane. The Red Walls were okay, but The Zutons played with intensity and had some of the most creative music I've heard in a while. Although I had gone to see Keane, I would have been satisfied just listening to the 35-40 minutes of the Zutons.
This band incorporates jazz, blues and a sixties psychedelic feel to their music. They even have an awesome sax player. I bought their CD immediately at the concert.
You won't go wrong buying their music. They're fun, creative and I promise - you will be singing along to each catchy song almost immediately! I highly recommend this band and their debut CD!!!!!!!!