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Zootime (Mystery Jets)
by Bailey Pennick posted February 27, 2008
England's alternative rockers Mystery Jets prove to all music lovers "across the pond" that they have a strong and catchy sound with Zootime. The five-piece, which includes the father-son team of Blaine (lead vocals/keyboard/son) and Henry Harrison (vocals/guitar/father), compiled tracks from their 2006 release Making Dens, their EP, and various singles to create the US-only release Zootime. With a driving backbeat and intricate layering of various instruments, Mystery Jets secure their place as a solid rock band; nothing more, nothing less.
The flow of Zootime is a bit lopsided, and it's quite clear that the band has its heart mostly in the upbeat and faster tracks. The technique and quality of those songs are almost flawless, and the passion really shines through. The best track on Zootime is, without question, "You Can't Fool Me Dennis." With a solid start, danceable drum beat, great guitar, and melodic harmonies, "You Can't Fool Me Dennis" is a song that stands apart from the rest. "You can do anything you want/As long as it makes sense" is the key phrase that opens the song-it's got the markings of the next big hit.
Exploding drum beats and British accents define Mystery Jets. Zootime provides 12 examples of songs that explode from the beginning, and never let up. Vocal harmonies and epic tambourines make "Diamonds in the Dark" an intriguing opener. The first three tracks of the album, "Diamonds in the Dark," "Inside Four Walls" and "Scarecrows in the Rain," are pure British guitar pop-rock: fun with a good beat. "Zootime" and "Horse-Drawn Cart" try to showcase the harder garage-rock aspect of the album, specifically with the help of guitar feedback and reverb. The result, however, sounds forced.
Zootime is an album that doesn't thrill or disappoint. It's raw elementary rock with all of the needed pieces to make a fantastic album, including strong playing and a spark of fun-loving inspiration. Zootime isn't an instant winner, but it is a great album to introduce the United States to Mystery Jets.
The flow of Zootime is a bit lopsided, and it's quite clear that the band has its heart mostly in the upbeat and faster tracks. The technique and quality of those songs are almost flawless, and the passion really shines through. The best track on Zootime is, without question, "You Can't Fool Me Dennis." With a solid start, danceable drum beat, great guitar, and melodic harmonies, "You Can't Fool Me Dennis" is a song that stands apart from the rest. "You can do anything you want/As long as it makes sense" is the key phrase that opens the song-it's got the markings of the next big hit.
Exploding drum beats and British accents define Mystery Jets. Zootime provides 12 examples of songs that explode from the beginning, and never let up. Vocal harmonies and epic tambourines make "Diamonds in the Dark" an intriguing opener. The first three tracks of the album, "Diamonds in the Dark," "Inside Four Walls" and "Scarecrows in the Rain," are pure British guitar pop-rock: fun with a good beat. "Zootime" and "Horse-Drawn Cart" try to showcase the harder garage-rock aspect of the album, specifically with the help of guitar feedback and reverb. The result, however, sounds forced.
Zootime is an album that doesn't thrill or disappoint. It's raw elementary rock with all of the needed pieces to make a fantastic album, including strong playing and a spark of fun-loving inspiration. Zootime isn't an instant winner, but it is a great album to introduce the United States to Mystery Jets.