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Who Killed the Zutons?

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Who Killed...... The Zutons?
Studio album by
the Zutons
Released19 April 2004
Recorded2003
Studio
  • RAK, London
  • Parr Street, Liverpool
  • Toe Rag, London
Genre
Length40:01
LabelDeltasonic
ProducerIan Broudie, Liam Watson
The Zutons chronology
Who Killed...... The Zutons?
(2004) 		Tired of Hanging Around
(2006)
Singles from Who Killed...... The Zutons?
  1. "Pressure Point"
    Released: 19 January 2004
  2. "You Will You Won't"
    Released: 5 April 2004
  3. "Remember Me"
    Released: 21 June 2004
  4. "Don't Ever Think (Too Much)"
    Released: 11 October 2004
  5. "Confusion"
    Released: 13 December 2004

Who Killed...... The Zutons? is the debut studio album by the English rock band the Zutons, released via Deltasonic on 19 April 2004. The album's last known sales are that of 581,088 as of July 2006.

Background and recording

[edit]

The Zutons formed in early 2002; their line-up initially consisted of Dave McCabe on vocals and guitar, Boyan Chowdhury on guitar, Russell Pritchard on bass and Sean Payne on drums, with Abi Harding joining them sometime later on saxophone. They signed to Deltasonic, who were known for releasing the work of the Coral. "Devil's Deal", the Zuton's debut single, appeared in September 2002, and was followed up by "Creepin' an' a Crawlin'" in May 2003. For their debut album, they worked with producer Ian Broudie of the Lightning Seeds, who had previously worked with the Coral.[1] Jon Gray served as engineer; the bulk of the tracks were recorded at RAK Studios in London, while "You Will You Won't" and "Long Time Coming" were done at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool.[2] The NME reported that the band were finishing up the album in December 2003.[3] Most of the songs were mixed at Elevator Studios in Liverpool, except for "Confusion", "Railroad" and "Remember Me", which were done at RAK. Ted Jensen then mastered the album at Sterling Sound at New York City.[2] In August 2004, "Don't Ever Think (Too Much)" was recorded at Toe Rag Studios in London.[4] Made with producer and engineer Liam Watson, The track was mastered by Noel Summerville at Transfermation, also in London.[2]

Composition and lyrics

[edit]

Musically, the sound of the album has been described as folk, garage rock[5] and indie pop, rooted in blues rock.[6] AllMusic reviewer Jason Damas compared the band's sound to that of their labelmates the Coral, "from their Love/Animals-influenced ruckus down to their Scouse accents".[5] Exclaim! writer Cam Lindsay said the band "fus[ed] swampy blues, '60s psych-rock, offbeat folk and the timeless Liverpudlian pop hooks" of bands the Beatles, the La's and Shack.[7] Gareth Gobson of Drowned in Sound thought that as the Zutons had a "decidedly darker heart than their current Liverpudlian peers", he considered a comparison to brothers John and Michael Head of Shack was more appropriate.[8] Other comparisons were made to the work of Led Zeppelin, Traffic and Frank Zappa.[9] Blender's Jody Rosen said they merged a "hodgepodge of influences (Dr. John, old-ska, trashy ’60s garage rock, Johnny Cash) with goofy B-movie atmosphere, then turn up the fuzztones".[10] BBC Music reviewer Richard Banks wrote that McCabe "classes the band's sound as a 'soul-funk-voodoo vibe'" as highlighted in "Zuton Fever" and "Dirty Dancehall", "but touches of ska and country are also discernible".[11] Prabjote Osahn arranged the strings, which were performed by Osahn, Stella Page, Amanda Drummond and Isabelle Dunn.[2]

The album's opening track, "Zuton Fever", begins with a Spaghetti Western-type guitar riff; McCabe discuses bones, epidemics and having a fever.[12] The subsequent saxophone and bass parts earned it a comparison to Eastern European folk music.[13] McCabe said it was inspired by "Love Is an Epidemic" by the Ink Spots.[14] "Pressure Point" is a garage boogie track,[10] with doo-wop vocal harmonies, while McGabe's voice was reminiscent of Eric Burdon.[13] NME writer Tim Jonze thought it "builds from an unhinged tribal warble into a screeching vocal meltdown".[12] "You Will You Won't", which showcases McCabe's vocal range,[15] evoked "Crosstown Traffic" (1968) by the Jimi Hendrix Experience.[12] Rosen called "Confusion" a "Nashville-on-Mersey weeper"[10] akin to "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" (1968) by Otis Redding,[13] featuring Stax-esque parts from Harding and a bicycle horn.[12] The band said Deltasonic founder Alan Wills was not impressed with the song's chorus, prompting McCabe to re-write it later the same day.[16] The song's saxophone part was initially planned to be played on guitar until it was changed.[17]

"Havana Gang Brawl" has Scouse-tinged jangly guitarwork,[18] with an intro part that recalled the Zombies.[12] It talks about turf wars,[19] and was reminiscent of Dire Straits.[20] "Railroad" describes a woman being sent a love letter from her immigrant-working partner.[15] Chowdhury said McCabe played a Chinese-styled scale, to which he responded by saying: "right a song about the Chinese who built the railroads in America".[21] "Long Time Coming" is a guitar pop song that comes across as a mix of the Coral and Franz Ferdinand,[22] with harmonies that reminded McCabe of Tina Turner.[23] "Nightmare Part II" is about having a fever dream.[22] Entertainment Weekly writer Timothy Gunatilaka said Harding's "soulful fluttering adds a delicate beauty" to "Not a Lot to Do",[24] which laments the inertia of a Sunday afternoon.[15] "Remember Me" is a Merseybeat track driven by horns,[5] which Dobson said served as a "eulogy to a best mate lost to romance".[8] "Dirty Dancehall" is about McCabe's love–hate relationship with Liverpool.[12] "Don't Ever Think (Too Much)" discusses a man who almost jumps off a cliff before he changes his mind; McCabe explained: "You know, about how your head races all the time. I think that’s part of growing up really, you don’t realise what’s wrong with you".[4]

Release

[edit]
Two people on a stage; one playing guitar and the other playing drums
The Zutons toured throughout 2004 and 2005 for Who Killed...... The Zutons?.

In February 2004, the band went on tour with Dogs Die in Hot Cars; on 27 February 2004, Who Killed...... The Zutons? was announced for release in two months' time.[25] In March 2004, the band toured as part of the NME Brat Pack Tour[12] alongside 22-20s.[25] "You Will You Won't" was released as a single on 5 April 2004.[26] Who Killed...... The Zutons? was released on 19 April 2004 through Deltasonic.[27] Early copies of the album came with a free bonus disc containing alternate versions of four Zutons tracks. The LP version came with Zutons brand 3D glasses. It was promoted an instore performance at the Virgin Megastores in London,[28] and then with a UK tour that lasted until May 2004 with support from the Dead 60s.[29] The last two shows were cancelled after Payne was taken to hospital after breaking his fingers.[30] At the end of the month, the band went on a brief Japanese tour with Paul Maguire, formerly of the Stairs filling in, alongside the Bandits. The two cancelled shows were rescheduled for the following month, surrounding the release of "Remember Me" on 21 June 2004.[31]

Shortly after this, the band performed at the Glastonbury Festival.[32] In October 2004, the band embarked on a tour of the UK.[33] The last four shows were postponed as Payne had come down with a viral infection.[34] Coinciding with this, "Don't Ever Think (Too Much)" was released as a single on 4 October 2004.[4] The US edition of the album, released 19 October 2004,[19] closed with the single "Don't Ever Think (Too Much)". The UK reissue, released the previous day, also added this track onto the end. Following this, the band supported the Thrills on their headlining tour of the US.[35] They then supported the Killers on their US tour, which included a one-off headlining show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.[36] In December 2004, the band went on a short tour, with all of the postponed shows from earlier, culminating in two shows at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool. In the midst of this, they supported Muse for two shows at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London.[37] Harding was unable to join the Zutons for the Ireland dates on the trek as she has been diagnosed with sinusitis.[38] "Confusion" was released as a single on 13 December 2004.[39] In February 2005, the band embarked on a tour of the US;[40] the following month, they played a short, four-date tour of the UK.[41] In June and July 2005, the band supported R.E.M. on their headlining stadium tour of the UK.[42] The Zutons pulled out of the Hyde Park, London date of the trek, and were replaced by Johnathan Rice and Feeder.[43]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic73/100[44]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
Alternative Press5/5[45]
Blender[10]
DIY[18]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[24]
The Guardian[46]
NME7/10[12]
Pitchfork7.8/10[47]
Q[48]
SpinB+[49]

Who Killed...... The Zutons? was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 73, based on 15 reviews.[44]

Many reviewers remarked on the mix of musical styles. Damas said complimented the variety of older forms, "very much 'dad rock' if you will, though it's injected with just enough fun that it doesn't sound like an entirely retro exercise". He said the most effective "moments come when the band expands their sonic palette", highlighting "Remember Me".[5] Blender writer Jody Rosen felt that the band "more than deliver on the promise of a deranged band name", as the mix of styles were "weird, hook-filled, and irresistible".[10] The Guardian critic Dave Simpson praised Broudie's production work, saying that he had the "unenviable job of pulling these disparate strands [of different styles] into a cohesive pop record but has emerged with far more silk purse than sow's ear".[46] NME writer Tim Jonze felt that since the band were "clearly in love with their city's musical heritage, they're also desperate to shake free from it", adding that they were "declaring war on bollocks retro rock".[12] The staff at Spin said that "somewhere between the Beefheart reference and the Ray Davies paeans [...] they find a woolly warmth and loopy generosity" few acts have offered since the self-titled debut album (1999) of the Beta Band.[49] Banks considered it to be an "ambitious but fully accomplished debut that promises good times are ahead for the Liverpool five-piece".[11]

Several critics gave comparisons to the Coral. God Is in the TV's Alex Worsnip opened his review by remarking that the Zutons were the "first Coral tribute band" as the tracks "really could be mistaken by anyone for The Coral", from the instrumentation to McCabe's vocals.[50] The Boston Phoenix writer Mikael Wood said the Zutons and the Coral had a shared sound, as they "view their loose, seemingly improvisational rock as a vessel to fill with whatever strikes their fancy".[13] Damas said that it still "sounds like a lost Coral album down to every last detail, which means that it seems silly to venture here unless you've at least bought one Coral album already".[5] Gobson, meanwhile, said it was "more accomplished and accessible than the first offering by the [Coral frontman James] Skelley crew", and explained that the "jangling trademark scouse pop" is what will "draw comparisons to the Hoylake lot".[8] Simpson thought the Zutons were "if anything, more demented" than the Coral;[46] adding to this, Pitchfork contributor Amanda Petrusich wrote that their "multi-decade larceny is more decisive and inventive than anything the Coral have unleashed".[47] Gigwise's Vicky Roberts reasoned that it was "more likely that the ‘Liverpool scene’, and the farrago which surrounded it like a billow of class c smoke, is actually to blame" for the comparisons.[27] Stephen Ackroyd of DIY dismissed the Coral comparison, saying that despite sharing the same record label and hometown, the similarities ended there. He said that the Zutons were "twice as vital as Skelley and co, and that's one hell of a claim", adding that they were "much darker than any of their contemporaries".[18] musicOMH contributor John Murphy agreed, saying that there was "more discipline exerted here, with no reliance on the so-called 'wacky' pot-head humour that The Coral sometimes get too involved with".[15]

Who Killed...... The Zutons charted at number six in the UK,[51] where it would be certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry in 2013.[52] It also peaked at number five in Scotland,[53] number 31 in Ireland,[54] number 34 on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the US[55] and number 122 in France.[56] It had been nominated for the Mercury Prize, though ultimately lost;[37] it is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[57]

Track listing

[edit]

All songs written by Dave McCabe and the Zutons, except "Railroad" by McCabe, Sean Payne and the Zutons.[2]

  1. "Zuton Fever" – 3:08
  2. "Pressure Point" – 3:16
  3. "You Will You Won't" – 2:54
  4. "Confusion" – 3:32
  5. "Havana Gang Brawl" – 4:30
  6. "Railroad" – 3:39
  7. "Long Time Coming" – 2:20
  8. "Nightmare Part II" – 3:00
  9. "Not a Lot to Do" – 3:47
  10. "Remember Me" – 3:20
  11. "Dirty Dancehall" – 4:09
  12. "Moons and Horror Shows" – 2:38

UK reissue / US edition bonus track

  2. "Don't Ever Think (Too Much)" – 2:42

Personnel

[edit]

Personnel per booklet.[2]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Who Killed...... The Zutons?
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[52] 2× Platinum 600,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

[edit]
  • The Coral – the 2002 album by labelmates the Coral, also produced by Broudie

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "The Zutons Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Who Killed...... The Zutons (booklet). Deltasonic. 2004. DLTCDX019/5154275003. {{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter |people= ignored (help)
  3. ^ "Free Song from the Zutons". NME. 4 December 2003. Archived from the original on 15 November 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Little toe Rags!". NME. 25 August 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Damas, Jason. "Who Killed...... The Zutons – The Zutons". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  6. ^ Keefe, Michael (21 September 2007). "The Zutons Tired of Hanging Around". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 6 March 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  7. ^ Lindsay, Cam (1 June 2004). "Zutons Who Killed The Zutons". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Gobson, Gareth. "Who Killed The Zutons". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 20 November 2004. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  9. ^ Barker, Jean (29 March 2006). "The Zutons - Who Killed the Zutons". News24. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e Rosen, Jody (November 2004). "The Zutons: Who Killed…The Zutons". Blender (31): 146. Archived from the original on 4 December 2004. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  11. ^ a b Banks, Richard (2004). "Review of The Zutons - Who Killed The Zutons?". BBC Music. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i Jonze, Tim (27 April 2004). "The Zutons : Who Killed The Zutons?". NME. Archived from the original on 25 March 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  13. ^ a b c d Wood, Mikael (4–10 February 2005). "The Zutons Who Killed The Zutons?". The Boston Phoenix. Archived from the original on 11 August 2003. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  14. ^ McCabe, Dave [@davemcCabe1] (10 July 2020). "I heard a song by the ink spots called 'Love Is an Epidemic' Loved it straight away thats where we got the FEVER from I think It's also our theme tune and has all our components in it" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ a b c d Murphy, John (19 April 2005). "The Zutons – Who Killed The Zutons?". musicOMH. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  16. ^ The Zutons [@ZutonsThe] (10 July 2020). "Confusion - we had a version of this and Alan wills came in and pointed out that the chorus was rubbish so Dave went home and wrote the chorus that night" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ Chowdhury, Boyan [@RollsBoyce] (10 July 2020). "The sax solo was initially my guitar intro but sounded better on the sax on confusion" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ a b c Ackroyd, Stephen (19 April 2004). "The Zutons – Who Killed The Zutons". DIY. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  19. ^ a b Lundy, Zeth (8 November 2004). "The Zutons Who killed the Zutons?". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 10 November 2004. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  20. ^ Goldfried, Evan (13 January 2005). "Zutons Who Killed...... the Zutons?". Cokemachineglow. Archived from the original on 6 March 2005. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  21. ^ Chowdhury, Boyan [@RollsBoyce] (10 July 2020). "Dave had this boss Chinese intro scale and I was like "right a song about the Chinese who built the railroads in America" and there we have it" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ a b Gill, Andy (16 April 2004). "Album: The Zutons". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  23. ^ McCabe, Dave [@davemcCabe1] (10 July 2020). "Longtime coming is a funny song it's more of a groove with wise words over the top )I ain't wise) i tried to do these Tina Turner harmony's over the top of it and they worked!! Love this song live it kicked ass" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ a b Gunatilaka, Timothy (22 October 2004). "Who Killed the Zutons?". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  25. ^ a b "Killer Tour!". NME. 27 February 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  26. ^ Smith, Anthony. "You Will, You Won't". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 14 November 2004. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  27. ^ a b Roberts, Vicky. "The Zutons - 'Who Killed the Zutons' (Deltasonic) Released 19/04/04". Gigwise. Archived from the original on 15 February 2005. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  28. ^ "Free – The Zutons". NME. 17 April 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  29. ^ "Death Disco!". NME. 21 April 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  30. ^ "They Will, They Won't..." NME. 7 May 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  31. ^ "Zutons Return After Payne-Ful Time!". NME. 12 May 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  32. ^ "Remember the Zutons!". NME. 26 May 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  33. ^ "Zutons Extend UK Tour". NME. 22 July 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Zutons Tour Axed". NME. 25 October 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  35. ^ MP (6 November 2004). "Who Killed . . . the Zutons". Billboard. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  36. ^ "Museum of Zuton Art". NME. 30 November 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  37. ^ a b "Bunch of Scrubbers!". NME. 28 October 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  38. ^ "They Will, She Won't". NME. 10 December 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  39. ^ "'Confusion' Reigns!". NME. 3 November 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  40. ^ "No Pressure Point". NME. 20 February 2005. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  41. ^ "The Zutons Have a Ball!". NME. 4 March 2005. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  42. ^ "Who Asked The Zutons?". NME. 3 February 2005. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  43. ^ "The Zutons Pull Out of Massive REM Show". NME. 15 July 2005. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  44. ^ a b "Critic Reviews for Who Killed The Zutons". Metacritic. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  45. ^ "The Zutons: Who Killed...... The Zutons?". Alternative Press (198): 113. January 2005.
  46. ^ a b c Simpson, Dave (16 April 2004). "The Zutons, Who Killed ... the Zutons". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  47. ^ a b Petrusich, Amanda (9 March 2005). "The Zutons: Who Killed...the Zutons". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 27 January 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  48. ^ "The Zutons: Who Killed...... The Zutons?". Q (214): 111. May 2004.
  49. ^ a b Anon. (December 2004). "Breakdown". Spin. 20 (12): 124. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  50. ^ Worsnip, Alex (25 April 2005). "The Zutons - Who Killed The Zutons?". God Is in the TV. Archived from the original on 22 June 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  51. ^ a b "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  52. ^ a b "British album certifications – Zutons – Who Killed The Zutons". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  53. ^ a b "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  54. ^ a b "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Zutons". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  55. ^ a b "The Zutons, TLN". Billboard. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  56. ^ a b "Lescharts.com – The Zutons – Who Killed... The Zutons?". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  57. ^ Robert Dimery; Michael Lydon (7 February 2006). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. Universe. ISBN 0-7893-1371-5.
  58. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2004". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  59. ^ "ChartsPlusYE2005" (PDF). UKchartsplus.co.uk. Official Charts Company. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
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