elders of zion, "dawn refuses to rise"

elders of zion are an avante garde neo-prog rock group of sorts thatare already drawing comparisons with Trans Am and the moresocio-political slant of godspeed you black emperor! From the first fewmoments of the CD's first track, also the title track, you're bombardedwith bass and drums of a sinister accord that will make you beg formercy. And that's just the first track. But where bands like Trans Amand gybe! are good comparisons to toss around to describe a band,they're slightly misused here, as elders of zion have their own agenda.Where gybe! seem to like field recordings they've made and work withmusic to meet that energy, I've never seen their political stancetaking that much of a stand in their recordings. With elders of zion,like recordings are used not just a basis for the recording, but alsoas part of the music's message, as well. And where Trans Am seem firmlyentrenched in their electronic Kraftwerk-meets-70s-rock sound, that'snot the case with this band. In fact, comparisons are lovely in that itgives you sort of an idea what the band sounds like, just enough sothey can defy it. And elders of zion do. The music is fresh-sounding,well-recorded and mixed, and never cumbersome. Some tracks did leave mewanting more, or I felt they were too long, or could have gone onlonger it would have suited me just fine (the title track is a perfectexample there). Overall, though, it was a great listen, one that had myoffice mate asking who it was, and given that they're mostly Kid Rockand Poison fans, that was an interesting. Don't take that wrong,though... elders of zion are nothing like Kid Rock. And thank god forthat.

 

samples:

• dawn refuses to rise
• jerusalem calling
• all that's solid melts into air (slight return)

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