Zoos of Berlin trade in clinical and immaculately composed and recorded indie pop and post rock. It is no surprise to read that the man behind the recording and mixing – Collin Dupuis – works as chief engineer for the techno legend Carl Craig. The sound is super clean, warm and rich but is somewhat lacking in personality and emotion. It all feels too aloof and premeditated to really engage.
‘Century Rail’ is similar in its rolling jazz/country vibe to M Ward, a misleading comparison when you put in context with the rest of the album. ‘Black In The Sun Room’ heads into Europe, stopping in France for some Phoenix and then onto the teutonic post rock of The Notwist.
‘Juan Matus’ begs the obvious comparisons with Stereolab and High Llamas with their kraut-lite, jazz tinged, chilled meanderings. Its nice stuff and they get off the freeway for some deconstructed but controlled noise to contrast the pop perfection that preceded it.
Trevor Naud’ voice lacks character but works if you let it drift into the background. Combined with the retro moog synths on songs like ‘Doctor Vine Passing’ it takes on a very prog/glam 70s sound which becomes earnest and pretentious at times.
‘Electrical Way’ is Jarvis Cocker letting his hair down in a tropicalia disco, fun but ultimately frivolous. ‘Coliseum’ finishes the album strongly on a mournful note of early Scott Walker styled pop, austere and dramatic and its shows how effective Zoos of Berlin can be when they don’ overcook things.
“Taxis†is a harmless piece of indie pop with classical flourishes and some 70s germanic pulsing rhythms. Great for cafes and easy listening moods.
Chris Familton
