Say ZuZu refer to their music as hick rock, but their 1998 album
Bull proves that the New Hampshire quartet is capable of reaching well beyond the categorization. On standout tracks such as "Wasting Time" and the poignant ballad "Fredericksburg," singer/guitarist Jon Nolan distinguishes himself as not only a fine songwriter, but as an expressive and endearing vocalist. "Maylee" features a simple, toe-tapping rhythm buoyed by relentless precision of Cliff Murphy's banjo playing and Steve Ruhm's drumming. Another highlight is the album's opener "Pennsylvania," which is vaguely reminiscent of one of the '90s best alt-country singles,
Whiskeytown's "Midway Park," while retaining its own clear identity. Call it hick rock, alt-country, or rock & roll. On
Bull,
Say ZuZu proves it's not the label that matters; it's the songs. ~ Michael Frey