Riffs, riffs, riffs! If you like riffs, then Zombies in Suits’ debut LP Hell Rock-Dirge Pop is for you. Want to dance a bit? They’ve got you covered. Need a little soul? It’s here. Horns? Electronica? Check. This Montana-based group has delivered a well-written, well-produced album that draws from a variety of styles. And did I mention the riffs?
One neat thing about Hell Rock-Dirge Pop is that every instrument gets its chance to riff away over the course of the album. The title track starts with a chiptune-like sound on a blues riff, and then the guitars come roaring in for their turn. Once the drums really kick in, “even the coldest of hearts [get] pumping,” as the band says. It’s a fun start to the record. Across the nine tracks and forty-five minutes of music, there’s something for everyone to identify with. “Tangerine” is a slower, yearning, atmospheric ballad with a nice finish. “I Don’t Give A Good Goddamn” combines electronic sounds and horns, and pushes the edge of distortion by the end of the track. Hell Rock-Dirge Pop moves towards soul and funk on “The Deuce” with layered organs and electric pianos. The saxophone handles the riffs this time. Zombies in Suits’ members have a theatrical background, and you can hear this work its way into the vocal arrangements here--I can envision the full cast onstage dancing during this number. The musical-theater vibe hits its peak on “Not Ready to Break Curfew, Ready to Die For Love,” which feels like a send-up of a Meat Loaf track of a similar title length. It’s so well done that I looked at the production credits to see if Jim Steinman himself worked the knobs here (he didn’t). Lyrically, the group is funny and smart. They write from a number of different perspectives, and incorporate a number of literary and movie references. Any group that can work “soylent green” in gets an extra rating point from me. Zombies in Suits has delivered a sprawling sonic treat. As they say, “I got the EP / Believe me / It’s gonna bruise the needle.” No kidding!
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