That
Say Zuzu
isn't better known in the
alt-country
milieu is a wonder, for the group combines the best elements of their forbears yet has enough of their own sonic stamp to make them standouts on their own. Like
Uncle Tupelo
, the group is defined by two strong
singer/songwriters
,
Cliff Murphy
and
Jon Nolan
. And like that former group,
has evolved from their initial roughed-up electric guitar sound to a more nuanced, varied approach.
can also be reasonably compared to
Whiskeytown
in sound -- that is, if
had kept things together and built on the rootsy strength of
Stranger's Almanac
rather than tapering off into airy
pop
and then nothingness. In fact, listening to
Every Mile
, the only explanation available for
Zuzu
's lack of a major breakthrough is that they're from New Hampshire -- and that they're called "
." This band has evolved wonderfully throughout the '90s, and while 1998's
Bull
was an excellent effort,
is even better. Overall, the album displays a rawer guitar sound than
. The opener,
"Lonely,"
throws down the gauntlet with a fuzzed-out, skronk-edged guitar tone that lands smack dab between
Dinosaur Jr.
Crazy Horse
.
"Wish Me Well"
continues the momentum, with the raw tones molded into upbeat, melodic
roots rock
still composes great acoustic
country
tunes as well, best represented here by a trio of hard-scrabble beauties --
"Don't Leave,"
"Sugarbowl,"
"Still"
-- the latter of which includes such heartworn lyricism as: "Still you walk and breathe the ghosts of those that you had loved the most/And wonder in your heart if they are doing alright." ~ Erik Hage