By Monk
Terms such as “legacy” and “tribute” are terms often bandied about in rock ‘n’ roll circles, and often for all the wrong reasons, often employed to either, in the terms of the former, denigrate a band who were “big back in the day” and made their career out of living on their past glories without contributing something new to the pantheon, the latter relating to imitation artists riding (albeit sometimes more coherently) on the coat-tails of someone infinitely more famous (but not necessarily more talented) in order to eek out a meagre living… It is very rarely that both words could be applied to, or used in the context of, a debut album by an unknown band, but such is the case when it comes to this particular release. And most definitely not in any defamatory, denigrating or insulting way, as I shall now elaborate…
Shortly after the band finished recording this, their debut album, singer Cory James suddenly passed away. Therefore, this is indeed a tribute to the legacy with which he has left the band, and in the truest sense of both the words, as it is one helluva a powerful testimonial statement. As what he has given us is one of the most energetic, vibrant, insightful and impactful performances of a generation. One truly worthy of the greats of the genre: not only a par with many of his predecessors and contemporaries, but on the likes of ‘Trailblazer’, ‘Golden State Of Mind’ and ‘Razorblades & Roses’ leaving a canon of work that sparks with unequalled passion, commitment and belief.
With this debut album, ZTL literally have laid everything they have (sic) on line, delivering an album filled to overflowing with infectious pop punk earworms and floor-filling ‘bangers. From the opening jump around that will literally make you ‘Leap In The Dark’ through the Green Day challenging anthemic of ‘Take Me Away’ to the electro-pop vibe of ‘Hold On’ and the enigmatically entrancing title track, this is a case of all killer no filler in every department.
Leaving aside what could be cynically seen as the “sympathy” factor, this is genuinely the most enervating, exciting and completely satisfying pop punk pumper I have heard in a very – no, make that VERY – long time.
ZTL have continued to play live and are committed to creating new music. I sincerely hope they do so, as I can think of no more fitting tribute to their fallen comrade than to continue keeping his legacy alive. In the meantime, let us enjoy more #LazyDays enjoying all that we are, being taken away to a land where we are walking free with sunshine in our hearts… every day is indeed a good day when you can defiantly and proudly declare that this is indeed “All I Am”.
- ‘All I Am’ will be released on Friday 30 August.
- All content © Über Rock. Not to be reproduced in part or in whole without the express written permission of Über Rock.