Zip Tang - Pank (2008)

The band's second effort 'Pank' is a really entertaining album filled with a cornucopia of impressions. Automatically searching for something comparable more or less Umphrey's McGee come into my mind when listening. First of all because of the fact that most of the songs are provided with a touch of jamming too. Deitrich Crashed My Enzo is a good example here. Basically a catchy song coupled with melody and rhythm variations - on top of it provided with a grooving jam section showing references to southern rock bands like The Allman Brothers Band as well as psychedelic patches. An exciting compilation of styles so to say.

The song title is weird though - probably they mean this sports car named Enzo Ferrari. And who is 'Deitrich'? In Germany we have a forename 'Dietrich'. A pun or lapse? Something which temporarily engaged me. Anyhow - they obviously operate with some kind of humour - best to point out with You Call This Art which starts (and ends) with laughing people. And the closing song Goodbye is their individual way to say farewell to the listener provided with marching drums and a pop styled mood reminiscent to The Beatles I would say.

However - jazzy portions are coming through all over, for example to recognize on Footprints - the drums and piano especially here. Marcus Padgett has a large share with his saxophone. He opens and closes the melancholic ballad One Last Beautiful Motion with a cool substantial contribution, an harmonic song with polyphonic vocals and floydy guitars. It's In My Head is an unusual blend of fusion and heavy psych and takes getting used to.

A punching bass line sends Katy to a heavy rocking and blues direction - but not that simple - a little bit avantgarde tinged which comes from some interesting saxophone dues once more. In a similar manner the album's title song is Zappa influenced. Cicada Jam irritates spiked with electronical experiments where the drums are perfectly imitating a train ride as for my impression. And finally I want to mention The Years dominated by duelling saxophone and guitar.

Some may come to the conclusion that this album is full of quite different music portions merged together by accident - quasi missing the 'golden thread'. Okay, if it is in that way - it's well done anyhow. ZIP TANG succeed to produce a varied output in any case and excellent musicianship is beyond dispute. Prog fans who like to listen to an eclectic mix of styles should take care of this - and won't regret. ZIP TANG Pank music reviews and MP3

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Footprints (4:22)
2. It's In My Head (8:25)
3. Katy (8:19)
4. Leaving Nothing (4:45)
5. Cicada Jam (3:27)
6. One Last Beautiful Motion (7:14)
7. Pank (3:48)
8. Deitrich Crashed My Enzo (7:25)
9. The Years (4:50)
10. You Call This Art (4:41)
11. Goodbye (6:28)

Total Time 63:42

Line-up / Musicians - Fred Faller / drums
- Perry Merritt / guitars, vocals
- Marcus Padgett / saxophone, keyboards, vocals
- Rick Wolfe / bass, vocals

Zip Tang - FootprintsPank

Zip Tang - "Goodbye" - at House Of Blues

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Zip Tang - Feed Our Heads (2010)

This is the third and the most recent album by a band which surely is now among the better US eclectic prog bands.

The album starts innocently enough with the jazz, saxophone and Frank Zappa influenced pastisj I'm On My Own. A really great song. From there and out, the album branches out in all direction. None of them light hearted and easy accessible. This is by no means an easy listening album. This album touches base with a lot of genres. From avant-garde via eclectic prog to jazz and pop/rock. Along the way, Zip Tang says hello to The Beatles, Beach Boys, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Frank Zappa, Soft Machine (first album), Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd and the post rock scene. I am sure I have missed out on a lot of bus stops along the way. But although very varied, the music is never disjointed. There is a clear and defined idea running through the whole album.

The instrumentation is both the usual tangents, guitars, bass, vocals and drums. But they have also added some woodwinds to the sound. The sound changes between electric and half-acoustic. The instruments are clearly spaced out and not the victim of a wall of sound. Thankfully, the sound quality is superbly crystal clear and contemporary.

I stated the first song was an uplifting song. The mood changes though halfway the album and the mood becomes darker at the final two Pink Floyd like songs. Which means neither the first song or the final two songs should determine if you want to part with your money on this album.

A purchase or not also depends on the quality of the product. It is my opinion after sweating blood during ten listening sessions, and wishing that I could spend even more time on this album before reviewing it, that this is a true great album. There is no real killer tracks here. Neither is there any really uninteresting parts here either. This album has so many twists and turns that it drags the listener in and really keeps him/her until the final tone. This is truly a progressive rock album. That is in my view a good enough reason to give it four stars...... although not a strong four stars, but still four stars. ( Review from progarchives.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing 
1. I'm On My Own (4:43)
2. Fine Reds (7:28)
3. Enough About You (7:50)
4. I Found A Dream (4:49)
5. Girl Behind The Glass (2:14)
6. Lost Without You (3:30)
7. I'll Put It Right (3:19)
8. Ojai (5:55)
9. Central Park (3:20)
10. Spooky Jam (5:34)

Total Time: 48:42

Line-up / Musicians
- Fred Faller / drums, percussion
- Perry Merritt / guitars, backing vocals
- Marcus Padgett / lead vocals, keys, woodwind
- Rick Wolfe / bass, mandolin, backing vocals

guest musicians:
- Ea Phillipa / lead & backing vocals
- Dave Jelinek / trumpet

Zip Tang - "Central Park"

Zip Tang - "Spooky Jam"

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Zip Tang - Luminiferous Ether (2007)

Very talented band from the states who's music is more in the jazz/rock fusion mould, but also has more progressive qualities akin to Zappa and King Crimson and even touches of zeuhl here and there. There's top notch musicianship throughout with also some vocals.

The lengthy reworking of 'Tarkus' is particularly outstanding.

 A fine debut album and certainly a band to look out for!!

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Tower Of Tuna (5:39)
2. Missed The Beginning (5:16)
3. Nothing Here (6:11)
4. Doctor Plush (9:59)
5. Like We Did Before (5:03)
6. Beta (5:48)
7. Searching For Treasure (4:25)
8. With A Twist (3:47)
9. Tarkus (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) (18:11)

Line-up / Musicians

- Perry Merritt / guitar, vocals
- Rick Wolfe / bass, vocals
- Marcus Padgett / keyboards, saxophone, vocals
- Fred Faller / drums

ZIP TANG - Tarkus (Eruption) Guitar & Sax

Zip Tang - "Tower Of Tuna" at House Of Blues, Chicago

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