Review Summary: Z'ev frustrates listeners, reviewer with synth parts coloring drum beats and a load of unknown samples.
Y'know those people who try so hard to make themselves seem more complex and more unenjoyable than they really are? It's really frustrating being around them because you know there are qualities behind them that they are purposely holding back right? This is the unfortunate truth in Z'ev's work,
Heads and Tales.
It's not like this album is some shot-in-the-dark compilation by a random homeless man from New York, there are very credible names behind this release. With mixing done by Glenn Branca and production headed by John Zorn, that gives away they idea of it being an avant-garde experimental no-wave album. The difference between the works of Z'ev and his production crew are that they are known for their music being murky and thrown together, but having a point. Their credibility stems from the attention paid to their music because it progresses and goes places, as this does not.
The beginning of the album (and the only titled track, "Hyper") begins the album with what will be the basis of nearly every song, every moment, and every beat. It is synthesizers mixed with drums, this played behind samples of spoken word. The drum eases off when the sample is played and it resumes upon completion, giving way for more harsh synth parts to be played.
Heads and Tales at this point has the feelings and emotions of a computer, which is probably making most of the music on this album. It all feels so cold and unaccomplishing, and this form of music continues on through the next several untitled tracks.
The previous formula of throwing together electronic beats and samples begins to die down on track 5 however. A more ambient opening takes place (after another sample), less throbbing but maintaining the cold robotic feel this album sets off. A side note: the album comes with a list of each track and the number of BPM it has, and it goes on to list 19 tracks, while there are 10 on the album. It probably is something I don't understand but the time is simply not taken for it to be explained reflects on the piece. This is actually a standout track, as it manages to establish a mood and feeling; a similar mood and feeling to maybe being lost in space or being sent to the future where robots and famine only exist. I know my accounts of the music are horrible but it isn't giving me a whole lot to work with.
Another highlight from this album is track Number 7, which manages to be more listen able with a progressing and related set of samples. The samples join an alive drumbeat and synth which sounds like sound effects from old Super Nintendo games. This really isn't as dull or robotic as the rest of the piece is, Number 7 follows a conversation with voices that become familiar as they converse with the drums.
I again apologize for the lack of good descriptions or if you are left without any real idea of what this album sounds like. The album does not give me much to write about and possibly is the closest real work to be included in the phrase "all the songs on [album] sound teh same!1!1". This is a frustrating listen and is only recommended if you're really into avant-garde John Zorn associated freakouts.
Recommended Tracks:
Track number 5
Track number 7
