Zoom's first formal release followed a handful of self-released cassettes. Whereas the earlier material was more influenced by the Minneapolis Twin-Tone scene, this CD finds them sounding more along the lines of contemporaries (and frequent tour-mates) the
Poster Children. Same loud guitars with vocals relatively low in the mix. Engineer and Chicago producer Brad Wood may have had something to do with it. The only song not recorded by Wood is a solid cover of
Gary Numan's "Cars" (here retitled, "Gary (Numan)"). Only "Ernst & Son," great song in its own right, hints at the treasures to be found of the following year's release, Helium Octipede. ~ Brandon Burke