Zombiebotnet - wash away

ZombieBotNet

Wash Away
self-released; 2014

3.2 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

ZombieBotNet is the solo project from Greg Woods who recently released a collection of demos called Wash Away. The collection of songs was recorded by Woods and definitely contains lo-fi qualities you would associate with demos. If you have heard Wavves first release or Bright Eyes “A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995–1997” the sound quality is comparable. Woods creates his songs with a drum machine, guitar and his voice.

As far as complete DIY efforts go in regards to sound quality -I have heard a lot worse. That being said the hardest component to get past is his vocals which are in desperate need of a compressor at times. From a structural standpoint the songs are simplistic and sometimes catchy. Woods will usually loop a repetitive 4/4 drum beat and either play couple of chords or a scale to find a melody for you to wrap your head around.  

The “collection of demos” opens with “Wash Away” which after a little bit to long of an intro busts into a distorted guitar that sounds like its clipping as unchanging drum beat creates some of the energy. It's not a bad tune although Woods vocals laid to low in the mix and sounded a bit too clean next to the guitars.

Woods vocals are so low in the mix on ”Get Free” it sounds as if he is whispering while “The Game” revolves around a low growling distortion. "‘Late To The Party Again” was the first song in which I could make out some of the lyrics and some of the tonal qualities of his voice. Turns out Woods van sing. “Lauren” revolves a couple guitar scales as you hear his voice in the distance say “Lauren”.

Woods may have some talent but he has got some work cut out for him. The songs occasionally boast decent ideas but they never come to fruition. Throwing in a couple of  changes in the drums (even a couple of fills), having  more dynamic material  and getting his vocals to sit in the mix is a good place to start.

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