Scan a few tracks off
Ain't It Beautiful, the sophomore album from Brooklyn's
ZO2, and it's instantly obvious that
Kiss and
Poison chose suitably when they tapped an act to tour with in 2007. Here's a band that makes high quality, unironic throwback rock -- elements of bluesy
Led Zeppelin factor in, and they stand surefootedly alongside doses of vintage
Aerosmith-style guitar and rip-the-joint-up, classic rock radio caliber vocals. Making it all happen are three guys with curious credentials: singer/guitarist Paulie Z. dispenses with all wise guy tendencies despite a background doing rock parodies for Howard Stern, singer/drummer Joey Cassata snuffs out the avant-garde side he's showcased as a member of
Blue Man Group and singer/bassist David Z, brother of Paulie, busts out a bruising musical persona you won't soon find on a
Trans-Siberian Orchestra record, even though he's the bassist for that group. Standouts on a disc full of swagger and old-school energy include "She Believes," "If You See Kay" and "Get the Led Out." ~ Tammy La Gorce