Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Who cares?
They were celebrated for "Valerie" (not on this album). I feel like I am hearing a resort, cruise or country club cover band/session musicans? versatile but nothing shines, moves or touches me. No review needed. Not to me essential, unique, compelling, influential delightful or challenging. I even went to find 'Valerie', their one hit. But their smoothness has become a grating blandness to my ear. I'd nominate this as one (of many abscure albums) to PRUGE FORM THE LIST to bring in more varied, independant, World and female artists who can introduce us to new sounds.
Here is a list of things this album sounds like, according to the wikipedia entry: Musically, the sound of the album has been described as folk, garage rock and indie pop, rooted in blues rock; the Coral; Love; the Animals; swampy blues, '60s psych-rock, offbeat folk; the Beatles, the La's and Shack; Led Zeppelin, Traffic and Frank Zappa; Dr. John, old-ska, trashy ’60s garage rock, Johnny Cash; goofy B-movie atmosphere; 'soul-funk-voodoo vibe'; ska and country; Spaghetti Westerns; Eastern European folk music; the Ink Spots; garage boogie; doo-wop vocal harmonies; Eric Burdon; "Crosstown Traffic" by the Jimi Hendrix Experience; "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding; Stax; the Zombies; Dire Straits; Franz Ferdinand; Tina Turner; and Merseybeat. All mixed up in a bucket, and don't skimp on the saxophone. I think I'm gonna be sick... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aczPDGC3f8U)
Super into this band!
I find this fits in kind of a Shins or a Strokes or Arctic Monkeys and maybe White Stripes kind of vibe but a little funkier. It was a fun listen but not too much lasting appeal unfortunately. Having never heard of them I was quite happy to hear this though. Long Time Coming is probably my favorite off this.
This album took a few songs for me to warm up to it. But overall it was a fun ride. The Zutons seem like the Old 97. In that they’re a super talented band that makes really enjoyable songs but is missing some element to achieve main stream success and appeal.
"Who Killed......The Zutons" is the debut studio album by English rock band the Zutons. Their music is described as folk, garage rock and indie pop rooted in blues rock. Thanks...that covers just about every band I know. The album was produced by Ian Broudie of the Lightning Seeds and the band members included Dave McCabe (vocals, guitarist), Bryan Chowdhury (guitar), Russell Pritchard (bass), Sean Payne (drums) and Abi Harding (sax). The album had generally favorable reviews and hit #6 on the UK charts. A spaghetti western guitar riff opens "Zuton Fever." A bass and clicking drums are added. There's sax and guitar interludes. The music has a sense of mystery or even comedy. It sounds somewhat like the Arctic Monkeys. McCabe going on about bones, epidemics and having a fever. "Pressure Point" starts out with shakers and "Ahh Oooohh Ooooohh" doo-wop harmony vocals. McCabe in his high tenor can't get the pressure point out of his head. A rock-out guitar outro. The band goes all harmonization and chanting in "You Will You Won't." More in the blues rock arena with some funk thrown in. Another interesting guitar outro sounding a lot like Jimi's "Crosstown Traffic." "Confusion" is softer, gentler more a ballad. Acoustic guitar, drums, a bicycle horn and romantic sax solo. He just can't stay in the relationship. "Remember Me" takes it a little faster. There's an alt-country guitar and it's catchy pop. Someone referenced merseybeat to describe this...I guess so...I'd have it to look that up...isn't that the Beatles?...OK merseybeat it is. It's an eulogy to his best mate who's lost a romance. The album closes with "Don't Ever Think (Too Much)." People are singing and clapping. McCabe singing fast and with high tension. A catchy, short song. This album had a nice variety of styles in it: pop, rock, ballads, lounge, baroque, alt-country and oh, OK, merseybeat. At times, they reminded me of the Pixies, Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Mokeys and White Strpes. That's all good. McCabe is a decent lead singer. The band does a good job building songs. I liked mostly all the songs. This is a good album. Most people should enjoy this.
Album 619 of 1001 The Zutons - Who Killed...... The Zutons? (2004) Rating : 4.5 / 5 Some more lads from Liverpool. First heard of this album when I was listening through the playlist and it stuck with me. I was actually halfway through a favorite song on this album on Spotify when I saw this was album of the day. "Not a Lot to Do", a head nod to those lazy Sundays has become a favorite track. Described as "alternative rock with a retro flair". That works. Good album.
Favourite tracks: you will you won't; pressure point; remember being; dirty dancehall
An occasionally fun record. And then not, in equal measures. Also absofuckinlutely not important.
This album is fine. I don't think it's bad, but it also doesn't do anything for me, personally. I hate to give it less than 3 stars, because there is a lot of talent in the songwriting, but I feel it would be disingenuous to give it more than 2 stars, since I really didn't personally connect with it, and I don't think it doesn't anything terribly special. It just feels okay.
Always nice.
Man what a snooze fest
A good listen, but this is just a budget version of everything Jack White does
This is fine, in fact I may investigate if The Zutons made any other albums before they were killed.
where was this album when i was 17 and dead into uk indie from the 2000s best song: confusion worst song: nightmare 2
Pretty good 👍
Banda inglesa indie...até q legalzinho
A lovely surprise, to be honest. I was expecting the same damn boring indie rock but I was surprised by a very versatile album sonically. The concept makes the album even more interesting and the lyrics are quite cohesive.
Who Killed… The Zutons? Boredom, I think.
Out of all of the semi-obscure 2000's UK indie rock bands on this list, I think this one is my favorite so far, it's not great, but it isn't generic. I kind of get White Stripes vibes from them, just not as good. High 3.
Utter rubbish….pressure was the only song I mildly enjoyed. The rest was a bunch of blaaaaa
I liked this a lot. Unexpected and geeky.
Wish I'd listened to this at the time, oh well, 20 years on great fun!
Was never overly impressed with The Zutons, appreciated what they did and respect them for the singles but this as an album didn’t do much for me, I get why they are liked as a band though
Mir unbekannte Rockband. Klingt ok, Highlights waren für mich keine dabei. 3/5
Brit version of the Black Keys.. 2000s indie/garage rock. Nothing bad, nothing original.
Kind of interesting, they have a sound. Haven’t heard them before and maybe worth another listen at some point. They certainly understand how to construct a song and are clearly musicians.
Ok. Nothing really stood out for me.
I enjoyed listening to this quite a bit. It would probably be a 4 star album, except at some point they decided that they had to use every instrument in the studio. I didn't think that worked and it pulled me out of the listening experience at times. So it's an okay record, I'll probably listen to it again. But I don't know if I'll actively seek to put it on.
Not bad.
Definitely a Forrest Gump box of chocolates of an album. If I was more enamoured of McCabe's vocals I might have given this five stars. There was some hard candy, some soft centres, and some of those ones that everyone leaves in the box until last. Worth a four, I think.
It was OK, but, no, I did not HAVE to hear this...
Kinda cool.
Very unremarkable album from 2004. Even though I would struggle to select albums from that year for this list (majority of 2004 album I can think of are at best 4 stars), it still does not make sense to include this album.
Sounded okay, but not sure why it is on the list.
Some reasonable tunes but they don't resonate with me.
Ich habe nichts gegen wilde Mischungen. Da kann ein neuer Geschmack entstehen. Der hier ist für mich eher ungenießbar.
I have no idea why this is on the list. But I liked it.
Great tunes on this
Ok. Nothing special though. Unsure why this made the cut. Sax does add a slightly different element.
Uh-oh, here comes a one-time band who were briefly big in the 2000’s (around the time they were added to the 1001 list) and have since disappeared (from this list, and pretty much all public consciousness). The Zutons are most widely known for being the original writers behind “Valerie”, later given a brassy R&B makeover (read: “improved immeasurably”) by Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson. “Valerie” isn’t on this debut album of theirs; instead, it’s 40 minutes of music I didn’t know and 30 seconds I recognised from treasured UK sitcom “Gavin and Stacey” (opening of “Nightmare Part II”). I hate to be prejudiced, but from where I’m standing, the Zutons smell suspiciously of indie landfill. …so, is “Who Killed… The Zutons” bad? Nah, not really. Is it good? Sure. Then… is it GREAT? Meh, hardly. “Who Killed… the Zutons” is the very definition of a middle-of-the-road, three star album. There’s some good stuff going on here, particularly the range of instrumentation (got to love a jaw harp in “Nightmare Part II”, and mandolin or saxophone breaks in “Not A Lot To Do”.) The clean, choppy guitar riffs by Boyan Chowdhury are solid, too: “Zuton Fever” and “Long Time Coming” consciously hark back to 60’s surf rock, along with the 70’s new wave bands who’d done the same. Thirty years later, the Zutons were part of the army of bands here to convince us that actually, guitars could be cool and fun. I’m all for that. I’m all for the simmering tension of “Pressure Point”, the slight and sprightly “Remember Me”, or the stand-out homespun folk of “Moons and Horror Shows”. And if I stumbled on The Zutons playing a daytime slot at a festival, I’d spend a happy hour there. It’s just that, after repeated listens to this album, I’m still struggling to discern any… pizazz? Spark? Flair? Passion? Something’s missing, and that’s the je ne sais quoi which makes music special. Whether they’re playing at being railroad workers, Havana brawlers, surf rockers or indie darlings, there’s a nagging suspicion the band are trying so hard to play it cool that they’ve lost track of carving out a real identity. It may seem an unfair criticism, but I’m struggling to expand on why this album just hasn’t connected with me. Maybe I’m burning out on auto-generated albums, or maybe The Zutons were burning out on songwriting, or maybe the early 2000’s were burning out on music. Either way, my ultimate takeaway is that “Who Killed… The Zutons” is fine, but fairly forgettable.
Good! Not amazing, would maybe listen to again? maybe also file it under 2000s british boring rock music too.
Uk rock, allerede glemt igen
Ha! This is great, that closing track just leaves me wanting more. It feels like a bit of a slow start but really picks up after You Will You Won't. Looking forward to giving this another spin. Fave: You Will You Won't/
I didn't really care for these folks at the time but listening now I'm not sure why - they're kinda half way between The Coral and The Bees and I like both of those bands. I dunno, maybe their marketing was irritating and put me off? I like their sound and I'm a fan of wailing sax being added to rock - I prefer their more upbeat stuff to the mellower songs. Fave tracks - "Zuton Fever" - wish the whole album had this energy or more so. "Dirty Dancehall" slaps too....
I hadn’t heard of this band before, but there is a quite a bit to like here. I hear tunes similar to the RHCP, Dispatch, QOTSA, the Strokes and more. They manage to find new and compelling grooves throughout.
Who Killed The Zutons? Probably me, for having to listen to such a sinfully boring album, it's every possible shade of bland, grey, dull, nothingness. Escapes the 1/5 I reserve for actually bad music but scarcely. Can only imagine the author of the book had a teenage hard-on for scandalously unoriginal British indie crap, and it's not even indie.
Bog standard 00s indie, doesn't compete particularly well with its peers let alone the best albums of all time. No idea why this is on here vs. Foo Fighters of that era, Bloc Party etc. etc. 2/5, nothing particularly wrong with it but nothing interesting at all.
Nekakav prosjek nulte retra
Meh. This is fine. Ordinary .Nothing special and totally not worth of a spot on this list.
It's an incredibly fun album, both rhythmically and lyrically interesting.
Nice, I liked it. Good background music.
Early 2000s UK rock. Pleasant. A bit tongue in cheek. Also a bit blah. Nothing stands out.
Apple Store indie (derogatory).
Quite samey,
a little psychedelic a little spooky and also a little funny
Kann ich nichts damit anfangen.
altern. Rock, 2004 -> 2
Meh, unremarkable, don't really care about this at all
Reminds me of the Brazilian band Bidê ou Balde.
- Favs while listening to the album: Confusion, Railroad, Not a Lot to Do - Pressure Point is really catchy and has simple call and response vocals; love how chaotic it gets in the end - I like the guitar licks they’re pretty tasty - Confusion very much reminds me (mostly the drum part) of the Beatles - it has sort of a Ringo-Feel to it - but i think its cool how unpredictable lots of the songs are as well as mixing different genres - the sax usually really stands out but in Not A Lot To Do it blends in and is in such a good balance with the other instruments - I’ve come to the conclusion that its not really my cup of tea - a few elements i like but there’s just nothing that would bring me back to this i guess; its not a bad album though just not my taste; also I don’t like this type of rock, it reminds me of Arctic Monkeys (despise their music) - i hate to say this but their songs start off good most of the time but during the middle and end, they somehow annoy me a little :/ - i feel like either you like it or you don’t, there’s no in between OVERALL: 2/5
Every time I hear one of these albums and wonder why it’s on here I somehow forget to think it being British. Kind of a hipster sound and not bad, but just another waste of a spot.
Who picked...... this album? It's a weird one, and not the kind of weird that I seek out. It's got a bit of a theatrical edge, like Tom Waits or Panic at the Disco or something, other than that it's just some alt-rock stuff. Have we had multiple Zuton albums? If so, someone should stand trial. Favorite tracks: Zuton Fever, Nightmare Part II. Album art: It's got that vintage Vaudeville feeling, the guy with the mustache about sums it up. Not a bad cover honestly, but the desaturation is frustrating. 2/5
Garage Rock being messy throughout generes Feeling Like ITS falling apartt with some fun parts (alternative riffs like a spring sound, some lines being catchy).
This was interesting. I recognized the first track although I’d not heard of the band. “Dirty Dancehall” was a nice surprise near the end.
I found this to be an overall enjoyable listen. Maybe better than their label mates the Coral. With vocals strikingly similar to Eric Burdon and Ray Davies, I kinda felt like they are a modern day version of The Animals and The Kinks with an edge. There’s a variety of styles going on here, but it still works.
I’m probably rounding up about a half point here, because I really enjoyed this and just didn’t think it deserved to be lumped in with a bunch of meh 3 star albums. Cool, unique vibes here. Just surprised Valerie wasn’t on this, haha.
This was…good. I enjoyed listening but honestly don’t really remember much.
This album is totally fine. Admittedly my first reaction was WTF are these guys? But I did recognize the song Pressure Point. I think the most interesting tidbit is they originated the song, Valerie, which was covered by Amy Winehouse a year later. I think that only could justify putting these guys on the list...but Valerie isn't on this album! 3/5
Didn't know these guys at all, but enjoyed the album just fine. Lots of funky instruments and harmonies.
Great album name and artwork, besides that the music itself was pretty middle of the road.
Good uk rock, started off strong... became mediocre by the end
This was pretty good. Some nice variety
where was this group dug up from?
Killed by dad rock, but what a way to go.
someone who had to listen to this dadrock bullshit, that's who
This album is honestly a mess in many aspects with its fusions of contemporary Blues Rock, ala The White Stripes, country rock, and some classic hard rock. With that said, it does still sound pretty damn good in its best moments, and I quite enjoyed the lead vocalist's very personable style. The arpeggiated guitar driving the song 'Havana Gang Brawl' caught me off guard with just how nice it is on the ears - this entire song has a pretty killer groove. Given the album's image, there really is something super cartoony and action-movie-soundtrack'ish about the way the songs are constructed and the instruments played, but not really in a bad way - it's charming more times than not. 'Not A Lot To Do' was probably my favorite song from a lyrical standpoint, it follows a very lethargic and hollow character and is backed by a nice ensemble of somber strings. I had a lot of fun with this thing, especially as the album went on and in its final moments. I was kinda sad when it ended tbh. There's a lot of personality here - something that always manages to win me over.
Not sure how I feel about this one. I liked it! But it was strangely repetitive and... uninteresting? I enjoyed the sounds, not the songs.
Better than I expected
This is fine. Very 2004-ey. I’m sure that whatever song was in a Gap commercial made for a very compelling Gap commercial. But I think you could pretty easily put together a list of 1001 albums to hear before you die that didn’t include this one if you weren’t a dumbfuck.
Well...I'd never heard of The Zutons before, let alone played one of their albums. Was it going to be some sparkly SciFi inspired music (given the band name). I've played this twice now. And I have to say it was pretty disappointing. As the album started, I was thinking it all sounded a bit like a spirited attempt to replicate The White Stripes, but then it descended into a bunch of derivative dull tracks. I can't for the life of me understand why this album (largely composed of pub rock knees up type songs) could be considered a great album.
Pareceu-me como The Strokes tentando fazer algo mais sério, até ficar bem enfadonho.
It’s alright. Wouldn’t listen to it again
surprisingly enjoyed this. A little weird but still
не запомнилось, скучноватое, не Валери
This album was fine but I just don't understand how it made the list. It's only my second "modern" album I've gotten, and it's just sortof a fun college radio listen. Not a big fan of the singer, but the instrumentation is good (love all the sax). I generally liked it but I just don't understand how I'm supposed to compare it to Rolling Stones and Ray Charles... 2.4/5 Listening notes: Fun opening track Oh hmm "Pressure Point" ok I think I've heard this on the radio - pretty good meh Confusion - nice, like the sax The instrumentation on this album is quite good, unfortunately the singer's voice annoys me just a bit
Never heard of the Zutons before, but I really like their sound. Very kinda 60s-vintage edgy rock and roll sound but very clean with great grooves, moody chord progressions and voicings, and just an overall fun musical product. The staccato strings at the end of Havana Gang Brawl were a cool touch that I enjoyed, but almost every song was really great. I did enjoy the first half of the album better than the second half because it had much more energy. I did listen to it twice -- five stars.
Not in my edition of the book! 2004. 2 stars. Well done but average band produces well done but average music. Why is this on the list?
Pretty Boring
The first 5 songs of the album are really good. At one point, I even found myself questioning ‘No, all the songs can't be good’. Unfortunately, I was right. The second half of the album is like a copy of the first half. I think it can get a score between 3.5-4.0.
I'd only heard Valerie before this. It started off strongly but it seems like they ran out of ideas.
Favorite Track: Pressure Point
Not as bad as I thought it would be. Some interesting beats; I could see these fitting in nicely to an overall playlist.
This is pretty good. I’ve never heard of this band.
Lovely.
i always get the ick from this genre in this era but it’s possible that i only feel that way about that genre/era because it reminds me of being 14. and because i didn’t know this album back then, it doesn’t carry the association so actually i suppose it’s nice to have an example of that music that i CAN listen to with fresh, mature ears and perhaps judge more fairly as a result. but i don’t think it objectively sounds that dated regardless. i had fun!!!!!!
To me this sounds like a combo of British Invasion music and 2000s alternative rock like Franz Ferdinand or something...maybe I'm talking out of my ass but it reminded me of both (and I liked it!) I don't know if I get why this would be on a list of albums you need to hear before you die because it just feels like a very good iteration of the style I just described, rather than anything really revolutionary or shapeshifting or innovative. I still enjoyed listening to it, however the last song was so bad that it kind of spoiled it for me so I'm trying to channel how I felt during the rest of it up until that point in order to write this review.
It’s just a good album. Don’t need to say anything else, it’s just quality tunes from start to finish.
Almost a 4 :D
first listen i liked this one, wish there were more in this list from this era
That was bland and pointless. Whoever killed the Zutons should have done it before this album was made.
This album felt bi-polar. Wow. That was certainly a change part way through.
Fun. A little forgettable but nothing wrong with it. Coral-light?
Great album, great sax
Why? I have a feeling that even fans of this band wouldn't think that it belongs on this list.
"Who Killed...... The Zutons?" Probably themselves after they finished the album.
Jangly, seemingly earnest. Rooted in blues, but has touches of psychedelia and old-fashioned rock'n'roll. Pleasant enough with sticky melodies. Favorite tracks: "Dirty Dancehall", "Pressure Point"
2004 called, they said uhh they're running outta you 1/10
This feels like musical theater rock
It’s music.
I’d written The Zutons off as indie also-rans but this album suggests they were/are probably a little better than that. It’s not groundbreaking - in fact, it reminds me *a lot* of The Coral’s debut of 2 years previous (which itself wasn’t groundbreaking, magpie-ing as it did from various well-established styles). BUT I enjoyed The Coral and I enjoyed this almost as much. Every song is perfectly agreeable, and there are some definite earworms among them, although none are truly top-tier if I’m being honest. 3.5
i love it when i get an album i’ve never heard of and it turns out to be a fun listen!
Not sure why it's on the list
There's a lot of these albums by reasonably good Indy bands with a couple of hits. They are ok to listen to (well the hits are anyway) but really only middling really.
Not awful, pretty decent. Favorite Track: Remember Me.
Never heard of this band before. It was OK. There are some songs that I added to one of my playlists.
Sadly they couldn’t save themselves from middling rock (2.5/5)
Only knew them from Valerie, but this was a nice surprise
It’s ok
Blast from the past, and a welcome one!
Pressure Point is a good time. The music video for it was on the UMD that came with the first run of the Sony PSP. The rest of this was pretty unremarkable
Entre el segundo de los strokes y el primero de los arctics
🎧Decent. Eclectic in sound. There’s nothing particularly great here. I liked Pressure Point as a kid. Enjoyed Railroad and Dirty Dancehall this time round. Probably not an album I’ll be revisiting.
Pretty good
Best lachen
Fun listen! Nothing super memorable, but I’m not mad at it. Could be a good road trip album.
I've never heard of the zutons, but I liked it, real solid album.
A mixed bag this one. Liked: production, sounded great with beautiful bass and drum. Good tunes, generally a nice mix of genres. Nice upbeat vibes Don’t like so much: vocals, their style and tone. Music built on a foundation of the sort of bluesy swampy rock that I don’t love Best: Nightmare, Pt. II
Nope! I'm sure it's fine. But still, nope.
Not special enough for this list. Adequate guitar pop-rock but unexceptional.
Delightful. A vibrant, spirited mix of old school rock n roll, 60s British pop and more modern indie. They’ve got grit and swagger and plenty of personality. Fun songs with big energy and bright hooks.
I know this band as being the original songwriters of one of my favorite songs, "Valerie". OH MAN. INSTANT NOSTALGIA HIT WITH "PRESSURE POINT". This was a song on MVP Baseball 2005's soundtrack, the greatest baseball videogame of all time. For a year or two of my life I probably heard this song thousands of times and then never listened again. This happens sometimes with baseball videogames for me, where the soundtracks are generally good and filled with music I actually like, so I would put in crazy amounts of hours into the games while listening to the songs but then I would forget about the random one-off tracks. It's always funny to me how this happens because it's such a unique experience and one that I don't have with anything else in my life; it's literally only specifically dated baseball videogames I played at important seminal teenage years. This song I recognized immediately, or I did and then had to take a second and figure out exactly what baseball game it was from lol. This band kind of has "it", don't they? It's a great sound that is confident and cool and hits on a lot of cool ideas. I don't know why they weren't bigger; or maybe they were and I just missed the boat on them.
Pretty good
I have heard the name before but never listened to their music. It was quite an experience. There are so many different styles and some extraordinary instrumentation. Production is a bit flat, so there's room for improvement.
Entertaining aughts indie that occasionally touches on a few unique genres for flavor. It's neat but doesn't really feel essential enough to justify its inclusion here, especially with its clear heavy influence from The Coral.
It was alright. Kind of hard to place a genre on these guys. Strikes me as yet another "the editors are British" pick but whatever.
Some groovy songs in there, the first one being, perhaps, the grooviest.
I was enjoying the album just fine when Confusion popped on. My liking increased 10 fold with that one. It was a good album. Some winners and some tracks were more middling. They should branch away from the well trodden structures more often because I think those were the better tracks.
66 = 3,3 = 3 stars A generic early indie album with clear Beatles inspirations, has some very confused instruments added to some songs but overall diverse enough and quite alright
It started off very promising, good vibes, nice, quite original melodies, enjoyable vocal, but throughout the album the quality was not that consistent. Few boring and mundane songs, and back to original and exotic tunes. Overall, the novelty probably weigh more than the downsides of the record, so a solid 4 it is.
I've definitely heard Pressure Point before. Oddly the part I remember the most is the vocal harmony intro. Fine enough song. Dirty Dancehall is a late album standout. Otherwise, I found this album to be pretty forgettable. Certain elements of the production and vocals reminded me of White Stripes -- those were the best points. Outside of that, I didn't find much to sink my teeth into. Somewhere in the space between a high 2 and low 3.
I liked this album a lot. The beginning had a white stripes vocal sound to it. The beginning, middle, and end all sort of sounded like different bands but I could jam to all of them. End was more of a fast beat rock. I'll probably give a listen to some more Zutons.
Pretty good music, but ultimately pretty bland and inoffensive. Picturesque 3 stars.
Really surprisingly good album when I had no idea what was coming up with the genres being listed as Folk and Garage Rock at the same time. I feel like I knew the song Pressure Point but I am not completely confident. Zuton Fever was a really cool song to kick things off. Still trying to figure out what a Zuton is but we may never know. I found myself really jamming along to this album and could definitely see myself going back and re-listening at some point. Always great to have a surprise album come up in the 4s
ZOLTAN! This was at best mediocre and at worst mediocre. I rate it a 3.
Totally new to me. Refreshingly off-centered. Threatens to be pop but backs off whenever that threatens. Tight musicianship. What did you expect? Those expectations will be unfulfilled.
Fabulous cover! Good (enough) songs! Remember me is a blinder!!!
I feel like this is a band that would be fantastic live but most of the recordings on the album fell flat to me.
Damn, I loved this album. I was almost at a 5, and this launched me into an exploration of more of their stuff — all of which was cool. Funny that I was recently discussing the fact that the song "Valerie," which most everyone knows as an Amy Winehouse cover, is commonly assumed to be an oldie that was resurrected in 2007. Alas, no, it's a 2006 release by The Zutons that for whatever reason, wasn't enough for me to explore their catalog earlier. I listened again, and it's just a good song — both versions have a lot to offer. So... this album... there wasn't a bad track on it. I'm going to cycle through all of their releases (there are only four) as I suspect something that came after this might only improve on the good stuff going on here.
Yeah, this was pretty dope. Catchy, quirky... they reminded me of The Silver Jews on occasion. I dug this.
Enjoyable album. At times I was catching a Wilco vibe. I can't stretch it to 4 b/c nothing exactly stayed with me from the listen. It's a solid 3.5
It's like post-ska pop band. If that's your thing, you'll dig this album.
Feels like taking 2000's indie and putting it into a blender. An indie smoothie. White Stripes, Modest Mouse, Flaming Lips, and more are mixed up in here. Even some country mixed in there.
These guys like their flat 5ths Good, nothing too crazy
“Who Killed the Zutons” is an amiable record with thoughtful, esoteric arrangements: much goes on, but the record isn’t busy. This relaxed, bazaar vibe carries over to the songwriting, which is thought-out and tuneful yet feels barely there. A glass of lemonade and its gone. Nice guys, I believe; I may have met one of them years back.
I have indeed heard buskers play on the side streets of Liverpool - can I die now? More a jumble-sale than a landfill; videlicet Zutons are a mild improvement over Klaxons if still unmemorable
I think the album builds as it goes forward. The first few songs aren't much to write home about, but as we progress through things keep getting better. The back half of the album is really solid IMO. I loved the fact that they had a distinct sound, but quite a lot of variety in that sound from song to song. The lyrical content was intriguing. Just a bunch of little touches all through out that make me want to return to this album in the near future. I particularly liked "Remember Me" which turns a bunch of "old lover" tropes sideways to write a song about a friend who has a new partner and just isn't hanging out any more. I also really liked Dirty Dancehall which had a sorta Morphine adjacent sound. On my scale this is probably in between a 3 and 4. It's not quite impactful enough to be a 4, but I'm more likely to go back to it than I would a 3. So 4 stars, because it's too strong a 3 to be rated a 3.
Entertaining and upbeat…
So with reviews of “Who Killed The Zutons” that mentioned the terms “Dad Music” & “Scooby Doo” music, I wasn’t quite sure what I was in for.. Overall, I had a pretty decent experience with this album… Not the greatest album that I’ve ever heard, but was fairly original, as well as diverse musically – with several songs that I enjoyed more than others… From a musicianship perspective, everyone was fairly solid, and the vocals while not a strength of the album, worked just fine… As opposed to starting out weak and getting stronger – or visa-versa, the better songs IMO were scattered across the album… Even the tracks that weren’t as strong – still had elements and/or sections that provided at least some redeemable quality (i.e. “Nightmare Part II” had a pretty unique beat/rhythm, and the instrumental section was solid…), and all songs were extremely listenable… Best songs IMO in order of goodness, were – “Pressure Point” – Especially enjoyed the instrumental work between 1:45-2:15’ish… “Havana Gang Brawl” “Zuton Fever” “Not A Lot To Do” Again – this band clearly has limitations from a talent perspective, and the quality of the audio recording could have been a bit better – but they did a great job of maximizing their collective abilities… Between 2 and a 3 IMO (i.e. probably a 2.50), but this is better than several of the 2’s that I’ve listened to recently, plus a bit of a bump for the effort here – so a generous 3 from me…
This was delightful. Would like to check out more from them.
I liked Remember Me and a couple of others almost enough to give this a 4.
It was fine. Not the best work in the Skinny Jeans genre. Simpsons: No
Not my thing, wasn't terrible but didn't enjoy it at all really.
I didn't really know what to expect when listening to this album. I recognise the band but never really listened to any of their songs before. My favourite songs were 'you will you won't' and 'don't ever think (too much)' And before anybody wants to moan and say one of those songs isn't on the original track listing, I'm counting 'don't ever think (too much)' on this list because it was on the British reissue and since it's a British band that's what counts.
I only knew The Zutons as the guys who originally did Valerie. This is just a great sound I’d listen to again and again. Just perfect at what it’s doing
I can see why someone would like this
I loved this! Never even heard of them. Happy to hear and played several times. Now in My Faves playlist.
This was enjoyable but somehow I didn't like as much as I felt I ought to. The genre isn't something I'd generally dislike but nothing really stood out to me
This was a far better listen than I expected!
nah
When I first saw this assignment, my immediate thought was that I felt like I’d heard of this band and remembered them coming out but couldn’t remember anything about them or any of their songs. Then Pressure Point came on and I immediately recognized it. That song was everywhere on the radio when it came out. And I don’t think I liked it at the time. Listening to it now was actually pretty cool. (Side note: I also had no idea they were behind Valerie.) I don’t think I was ready for the weird mix of alt rock, Western/Americana rock, soul/funk, and jazz (almost klezmer) that they were doing at the time. I wasn’t a big White Stripes fan at the time either, but I definitely hear similarities between those groups. I think this 1001 albums project has actually prepared me for this album, now having a better sense of music history and an appreciation for more genres. So, that’s cool, I guess. When this band came out I think I roped them in with the other garage rock garbage that was coming out at the time like Jet and The Hives. But these guys are talented musicians. Sure, the music is a pastiche of a lot of earlier styles, but it’s put together in a new and interesting way that doesn’t just sound like it’s trying to mimic something that came earlier. It kind of reminds me of some of the Brit pop albums on this list (Super Furry Animals, The Beta Band) except less obnoxious and with lyrics that actually make sense. And I actually really enjoyed the yakety sax elements — it kept it interesting. 4/5
Maybe it’s not one of the greatest albums ever, maybe it isn’t that peak of creativity but for me it is a great album with a consistent set of songs and I’d be happy to listen to it a lot.
Ágætis rokk með alls konar áhrifum.
o som é bem estranho, guitarra legal, voz muitas vezes rasgada. A banda quer ter uma pegada vintage, mas ficou forçado. Não chega a ser ruim, mas não é muito agradável. Tem uma ou outra música com a melodia mais atraente como moons and horror shows por exemplo. Mas as mais "pesadinhas" achei irritantes, pois não transmitem uma pegada rock decente, e tem refrões repetitivos demais. Mas foi legal a descoberta dessa banda.
Very campy. Not really something I would listen to on a regular basis.
That was a trip
So I'd never heard of these kooky cats, I did enjoy a lot of this and will come back for a bit more at some stage.
Imma slut for a good sax Fun instrumentals and vocals are alright Lyrics haven’t been interesting at all They like doing the loud to quiet to loud Gets old kinda quick
Pretty good! I'm surprised I didn't already know this band or this album as this type of thing was exactly my scene in 2004. Some songs were more interesting than others. I think if I listened to this more, it would really grow on me.
This was new to me. Really enjoyed it.
sounds older than it is, great band
2004 respectful edistystä tehty tsäsä genressä vuonna 2004, sanoinko 2004?
Another indie garage record that doesn’t seem to have survived past the 2000s. Pretty good, though
I’m not sure why this album of theirs was picked. It’s not bad, and it shows potential, but it feels rough around the edges. I accidentally listened to some of their later work, and that sounded much more refined, but as is, this was just okay
Not bad. Not bad at all. Railroad is cute tho.
Zuton Fever // Pressure Point // You Will You Won’t // Confusion // Not A Lot To Do // Moons And Horror Shows //
Starts of brilliantly, then trails off
Really good, easy to listen to chilled out vibe. Never heard of them before today. It's really good and I've added it to my favorites to listen to again.
4 he has a good voice
Has to be a personal 5, love every track
3.75
I freaking love 2000's rock. They generally sound overly refined and yet they sound crazier than say 1990's rock. What an awesome surprise.
Still don’t know
Oh……….oh, um…….no no no no no no no no no no no no. Nope. Nah. Nope. Yeah, no. Not- I don’t think….Excuse me, waitress? Yes, um, I don’t think this was meant for our table. It’s not mine, so, um…..yes, can you send it back, please? Oh, for sure. Yes, I order the Bolognese. Not, well, whatever this is. What is it, exactly? Is that…oh, yeah, well, that’s interesting. No, no thank you. But thank you for understanding. As long as it’s not on my bill ha ha ha ha ha…….Thank you so much. Anyway, as I was saying….
Buried treasure! I've never heard of this band before, but I love them wholeheartedly now. This is such a cool vibe, I feel like I'm hearing modern day CCR in a harmonious blend of R.E.M. and a pinch of Tom Petty. But make it folksy punk somehow? This is some sorcery, it's a wildly unique fusion that has become it's own wonderful thing. I'm hooked, I'm a new fan now! I love this record. It is so melodic and sonically pleasing to get lost in.
Enjoyable. Of the garage rock revival of the 00's, I would place this high on the list. I don't know if it stands out as much as it could, but I thought it was good. Reminds me of SpongeBob for some reason which doesn't count as a negative.
A nice surprise. Saw this on the list and honestly thought I would hate it.
Completely forgettable middle of the road indie
Who killed the Futons? Those bloody saxophones. So annoying. Ruined the record.
This one was ok. I enjoyed some of the songs but for the most part wasn’t blown away by anything.
WTF?!?
Kinda liked this!
This album was a lot of fun and so far is my favorite album by a band I’d never heard previously. 4.3 stars
Meh
“Pressure Point” is still my favorite song after first hearing it on a PSP music video UMD almost 20 years ago, but there was a lot to like beyond that.
🤷🏻♂️
Very mid - level. Just bored me a bit to be honest.
I bought this when it came out, and thought it was ... OK. I listened it today for the first time in around 20 years and thought it was ... OK. It's OK.
Who killed The Zutons? Interesting question. What I can say is that it wasn't my increased attention to this album while it played. I had expected some bog standard, dull dishwater landfill indie upon receiving this release but what I was met with instead was some rather surprisingly good tunes, most of which don't approach past the three minute mark (which is much appreciated) and don't overstay their welcome. It is apparent that The Zutons were a very talented bunch and they destined to improve their stride before they were murdered. Such a shame. Favorites: Zuton Fever, Pressure Point, You Will You Won't, Havana Gang Brawl, Railroad, Long Time Coming, Not a Lot to Do, Remember Me, Dirty Dancehall.
This album was pretty great. Never heard of the Zutons before, but they're someone I'll probably look for more of after this.
Fun album. I enjoyed it, but it also didn't do anything super interesting. I didn't mind it though 3/5
I’m gonna be honest, I was expecting something different from this album by its art and title, something a little more camp than the Wilcoy indie stuff, but it’s not bad. I like the almost hoedown-ish turn the last couple of tracks took and would have preferred if the whole thing was more like that, but it’s not bad. C-
Ok
Solid!
solid record. I saved some songs to listen to again!
Was looking forward to some Zutes today and 1001 albums generator.com delivered. We get a full album with a variety of sounds. Never heard it. Not bad
This is a cool album!
Wow not bad
funky cool stuff woohooo interesting
These mediocre Brit albums are wearing me out.
Never heard of this group, never heard any of the songs, but will listen again & check out more of their stuff. Looks like they have a new release too, The big Decider (2024)
Just a quirky, genre-bending fever dream of an album. Ska? Surf rock? Zombie singalongs? Sure, why not.
Pretty fine, mostly enjoyable album. Not sure that it belongs in the list, but it was a good listen. Favorite track: Zuton Fever
This was another album that from its cheesy cover I was expecting to hate, but as I was going through it I was liking more and more of them. Very pleasant surprise
Only knew them for Valrie, but wasn't aware they had this in them
Zuton Fever - 4 You Will You Won't - 4 Confusion - 4 Havana Gang Brawl - 4 Railroad - 4 Long Time Coming - 4 Nightmare Part II - 4 Not A Lot To Do - 4 Remember Me - 4.5 Dirty Dancehall - 4 Moons and Horror Shows - 3 Don't Ever Think - 4 Really solid. Very interesting.
06/25/24 S Tier—————————5 Zuton Fever A Tier—————————4 Pressure Point You Will You Won’t Confusion Havana Gang Brawl Nightmare Part II Don’t Ever Think Remember Me B Tier—————————3 Dirty Dancehall Moons and Horror Shows Long Time Coming Not A Lot To Do C Tier—————————2 Railroad D Tier—————————1
Who Killed The Zutons by The Zutons Tuesday 6/25/24 1:32 S Tier————————— Pressure Point Zuton Fever A Tier————————— Dirty Dancehall Long Time Coming Nightmare Part II Confusion Railroad Havanna Gang Brawl B Tier————————— Not A Lot To Do Remember Me You Will You Won’t Moons and Horror Shows Don’t Ever Think
I thought the album cover and names might mean this would be an exciting and creative piece. I was prepared to be let down. I thought this was a really executed album. Its unique and a whole lot of fun. Tons of stuff going on. Reminds me of theme songs but executed really well.
Home cooking again.
This is the very essence of “landfill indie”, a term I really enjoy because it describes that mid-late 2000’s British sing song rock revival that all sounds like this perfectly. It’s entirely forgettable but not offensively bad. The instruments are played well enough, the songs are 90% 4/4 at a moderate tempo. The lyrics might as well be a bunch of phone numbers. The definition of average. 3 stars because I like the goofy saxophone and some of the one string riffs are good. Really it’s a 2.5.
i was pretty into this at the time. Is it actually good or do i just residually like it? Who cares
Its better than a lot of scouse rock as it snot too scouse. But its still mediocre enough to wonder why its on the list
B Zuton Fever... 3 Pressure Point... 3 You Will You Won't... 3 Confusion... 3 Havana Gang Brawl... 4 Railroad... 4 Long Time Coming... 3 Nightmare Part II... 4 Not A Lot To Do... 4 Remember Me... 3 Dirty Dancehall... 3 Moons And Horror Shows... 3 Pretty good
This started off okay, and bits of it sounded like CAN (but with Bono singing). This album is a mess and I have no idea who The Zutons are, as it changes style from one song to the next. Too much of a mixed bag for me to enjoy or focus on for very long.
This did my nut in, tbh. The screeching guitars were matched by a bloody screeching voice. It picks up with a Scally twang. But I'd rather listen to The Coral.
Pretty catchy stuff
Aika kiva! 2000-luvun alussa oli selkeesti buumi tällaisen rockpopmusiikin tekemisessä: vähän blues-retroa ja tanssittavaa, veikeää, tarkasti soitettua ja kliinisti tuotettua. Tässä oli hyvin hillitty villeys mukana. Kuunteli mielellään. Saatan jopa palata, etenkin a-puolelle.
Tämä on niin hyvä levy kuin pentatonisella pop-garage-soundilla ja ilman varsinaista hittiä on mahdollista tehdä. Biiseissä on yritystä - jopa yllätyksellisyyttä.
I'd give this 4.5, catchy beats, he's got a good scream
Never heard of this band but loved them. Great retro, rockabilly sound with some ska influence. Clean vocals and lyrics. Totally fun all the way through.
Fun
oh wow this was boring
Best known for “Valerie,” if you know them for anything at all (a song that these days definitively belongs to Amy Winehouse), the Zutons were part of a glut of British alt rock bands in the early 2000s—and not a very memorable one. Too concerned with being clever at the expense of Melody and meter.
Pretty decent but slightly generic for 2000s rock
It was alright, I think I enjoyed it because I remember it being around when I was a teenager. My mum must have had the album or it was on the radio or something. It’s not mind blowing though.
I didn't much care for this album. It was OK just not great.
Well here’s something that feels like it might have aged poorly… and yet it’s pretty damn good! Songs stand up really well, Remember Me and You Will You Won’t especially Plus it’s reminded me what a crush young me had on the saxophonist A very pleasant trip down memory lane
STANDOUTS: Remember Me OVERALL: 1.5/5; it took me four tries to get through this. Nothing offensively bad—just bland.
Dude. Really? This is supposed to be a list of albums that you would recommend to someone as an album you must hear. Who in their right mind would believe that this is an album that anyone would recommend for any reason at all ever? 1/5
Really enjoyed the riffs and singing on this. Zuton Fever started the album right and kept going. Nice track variety. 4/5!
Thought it was going to suck based on album cover…. It didn’t! Favorite track: Confusion 4/5
3/5 - not my thing but a good album
This sounds much older than 2004, didn't expect it to be so recent. Very good though, a bit punk, a bit funky, enjoyable overall. Stand-out: Nightmare Part II
This was an ultra early 2000s indie rock album and that’s all it really needed to be. Every song was fun with a bunch of different instrumentation in each track and you will you won’t and railroad were my favs. Solid all around album.
Fun album! Some extraordinary sounds.
Forgettable dad rock
Pretty skippable.
Zutons! Where have you been all my life? Such talent! So theatrical !
The early 2000s were a really good time for music, as it turns out. I don’t know much about this band and assume they were bigger in Britain, but it’s pretty good. Likely to revisit.
I’ve heard this kind of music be done better before.
egentlig ikke dårligt, let nok at lytte til, jeg har bare allerede glemt det igen og jeg blev færdig med at lytte til det for 10 minutter siden. 1 edition ass album
Virker ikke sådan MEGA essentielt men det var da meget cute
Sov nok plade, godt med lidt for druknet sax! Ikke helt sikkert på hvorfor den er på listen, men jeg nød den
Started out like a early 2000s rock band trying to imitate classic rock from the 70s/80s then morphed into something entirely different. Half way through I really noticed the sax began to shine. Suprisingly around the half way mark I think the album really hit its stride. The folky blues rock of the latter songs really fit their vibe and if they had stuck to that theme for the entirety I think it would’ve been a much better album as a whole. Still enjoyed it. 7/10
Es difícil practicar el garage rock de los 60 y no sonar demasiado retro. Eso es lo que consiguen los Zutons con un álbum en el que encontramos desde canciones de rock & roll desatado destinado al baile y la juerga ("Pressure Point", "Dirty Dancehall" o "You Will You Won't") como pasajes de música con aires folk suaves ("Confusion" o "Moons And Horror Shows"). Me gusta especialmente el estilo Merseybeat de la canción "Remember Me", en mi opinión uno de los puntos culminantes del álbum.
I had never heard of these guys, but this was a surprisingly delightful album.
Head nodding, toe tappingly pleasant. I recognise a lots of these track, I think I might have had the CD 20 years ago. Nothing amazing but an interesting take on 2000 indie.
It was enjoyable. But not sure I see 1001 material here.
Fun listen
Really a great suprise
On the one hand, why is this quite regulation slab of landfill Indie on here? On the other, I think I sang every word and it took me immediately back to some of the very happiest times of my life.
Not bad.
Generic unoriginal indie-pop that doesn't strike a chord or do anything totally original to merit inclusion on this list. "Who Killed...... The Zutons? is the debut studio album by the English rock band…" Oh, say no more. 2.5/5
An enjoyable albums. One of those that contains loads of tracks that you weren't quite sure who sang them. Nice surprises along the way with a fantastic extended band arrangement.
I liked this. Not brilliant, but reasonably enjoyable music. Shame 'Valerie' isn't on this album, that would definitely have been worth an extra star.
Never heard of this band before but it wasn't bad. I'd listen to it again.
Not much to distinguish the Zutons above the other bands in a similar vein.
That was unexpectedly fun. I feel like this is the kind of band that would come out local pub and get a great turnout because everyone loves them live. And you walk in and go “who’s this?” And then you’ve discovered a cool new band. 3.5 not quite a four.
This was not memorable. It was not bad, but it did not hook me anywhere, did not inspire me to daydream, or dance, it did not move me or make me think or feel much. Unfortunately I do not care much about the Zutons after today. They did make an album, that's dedication to the craft and worthy of respect. But does it make it one of the 1001 albums I have to listen to? I do not think so.
good Zutons
Hubo muchos y mucho mejores discos en 2004: Nick Cave- Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus, Arcade Fire- Funeral, Wilco – A Ghost Is Born, Bart Davenport – Game Preserve, Interpol – Antics, Tom Waits – Real gone, Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand, Modest Mouse – Good news for people who love bad news, Brian Wilson – Smile, Lambchop – Aw c’mon / No you c’mon, The Dears – No cities left, The Divine Comedy – Absent friends, The Delgados – Universal audio, MORRISSEY - You are the quarry, Kasabian-Kasabian, Sonic Youth- Sonic Nurse, THE ORGAN - THE ORGAN, ADAN GREEN - FRIENDS OF MINE, Ye (Kanye West)- The College dropout, Keane- Hopes and feras, TV on the radio- Desperate, Youth, Blood, Green Day - American Idiot, PINBACK-Summer in Abaddon... Sin embargo eso no le quita el encanto a este disco de debut con Confusion, Remember me, Pressure point, Long time coming, Nightmare pt II o Dirty dancehall... retro-rock, punk, pop, psicodelia, y sobre todo un saxofón que enriquece sus composiciones dese la inicial Zutons fever... sin llegar ni de lejos al nivel de Morphine... Similares e inferiores, a The Coral o Gomez y a cualquiera de las bandas antes mencionadas...
Wow blown away by this group and LP which was almost perfect. Last song went country and slow to end it which sucked. But pretty fresh original unpredictable music. Good musicians with great songwritting.
I'm increasingly convinced that people just forgot how to make and enjoy good music sometime around the year 2000.
Yecch. Very bad songs.
Fun and upbeat. I’m hearing like Modest Mouse and Nirvana melodies. Lead singer is great and the way they incorporate other instruments well. Hits: Zuton Fever Confusion Not a Lot To Do Remember me Don’t Ever Think Too Much
Gibt es irrelevante Musik? Das gehört dazu.
It’s not often that an album makes no impression on me at all, but that was the case here. Nothing memorable, and nothing to report.
I don't know who killed the Zutons, but if they weren't already dead, I'd be tempted. This is bad even for early 2000s. This sounds like a bunch of kids were in a ska band in high school, then heard The White Stripes and failed miserably at aping that sound, while one of them refused to learn something other than sax. This keeps threatening to get interesting but never does. Closest it comes is "Confusion" which almost sounds like early 70s Kinks, but there's a persistent sax that sounds like a clown's bike horn. What exactly was the idea here? *checks wikipedia* "The band was originally a four-piece, before Payne's girlfriend Abi Harding began joining The Zutons on stage for a couple of songs mid-set, playing simple saxophone lines. The other band members liked the way her saxophone enhanced their sound and Harding became a full member, contributing vocals and sax." ...dear god...
Fantastic, old feel to it.
Verrrry early 2000s rock. Fine but not my thing.
Maybe the most bland indie record of the 2000s?
Reasons why this mediocre and easily forgettable indie album is on then list. # 1: Thanks for reading my list.
Really fun album, catchy and bright. Nothing incredibly compelling but nice to put on.
Completely new to me. Pure quirky fun. I enjoyed it top to bottom, especially the opening track and Remember Me. Just this once I'm willing to overlook that an album doesn't actually belong on this list. Because of the good vibes.
Mér finnst þetta skemmtilegt.
Perfectly fine indie album but nothing special. There are way better Liverpudlian indie albums to spend your time with, like the La's.
Decent album Standout Songs: Havana Gang Brawl Nightmare PII Dirty Dancehall
Garage rock, indie pop. Me ha gustado. Un 4.