That
Say Zuzu isn't better known in the alt-country milieu is a wonder, for the group combines the best elements of their forbears yet has enough of their own sonic stamp to make them standouts on their own. Like
Uncle Tupelo, the group is defined by two strong singer/songwriters, Cliff Murphy and Jon Nolan. And like that former group,
Say Zuzu has evolved from their initial roughed-up electric guitar sound to a more nuanced, varied approach.
Say Zuzu can also be reasonably compared to
Whiskeytown in sound -- that is, if
Whiskeytown had kept things together and built on the rootsy strength of
Stranger's Almanac rather than tapering off into airy pop and then nothingness. In fact, listening to
Every Mile, the only explanation available for
Zuzu's lack of a major breakthrough is that they're from New Hampshire -- and that they're called "
Say Zuzu." This band has evolved wonderfully throughout the '90s, and while 1998's
Bull was an excellent effort,
Every Mile is even better. Overall, the album displays a rawer guitar sound than
Bull. The opener, "Lonely," throws down the gauntlet with a fuzzed-out, skronk-edged guitar tone that lands smack dab between
Dinosaur Jr. and
Crazy Horse. "Wish Me Well" continues the momentum, with the raw tones molded into upbeat, melodic roots rock.
Say Zuzu still composes great acoustic country tunes as well, best represented here by a trio of hard-scrabble beauties -- "Don't Leave," "Sugarbowl," and "Still" -- the latter of which includes such heartworn lyricism as: "Still you walk and breathe the ghosts of those that you had loved the most/And wonder in your heart if they are doing alright." ~ Erik Hage