Zebrahead

Zebrahead: MFZBMFZB (2003)
Sony Music Entertainment

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: StewartDowouisStewart Dowouis
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on April 9th 2004I can see it now. Review after review will inevitably dismiss the new Zebrahead album (yes, I still call 'em albums), MFZB, as another piece of emotionless garbage by yet another group of trend-hopping, cash hungry, fauxhawk/trucker's mesh hats wearing wannabees. The unfortunate thing about that, ho.

I can see it now. Review after review will inevitably dismiss the new Zebrahead album (yes, I still call 'em albums), MFZB, as another piece of emotionless garbage by yet another group of trend-hopping, cash hungry, fauxhawk/trucker's mesh hats wearing wannabees. The unfortunate thing about that, however, is that this band is truly amazing. Those who are quick to throw this one in the trash bin are definately depriving themselves of something really special.

Yeah, I know the scene is beginning to overexpose and homogenize a once vibrant and exciting genre of rock music, namely emocore/post-hardcore/pop punk, with countless clone bands like Story Of The Year and Hidden In Plain View and The Starting Line, but if we can for a minute, let's suspend those preconceived notions and take a look at this record.

Those of you who experienced the same sense of musical disarray that I did in the late '90s may remember zebrahead as the band with the cliche' hip hop styled verses, but incredibly bright and ridiculously insane catchy choruses. During a time when bands like the Goo Goo Dolls, Lit, Blink 182, Limp Bizkit and Korn all melded together into one giant, bland, pop musical experience (not taking anything away from those bands individually), Zebrahead showed signs of genius. Yes, they lacked a certain degree of individuality at that time, but they more than made up for it with their dynamic sense of harmony, musicianship and songwriting skills. These guys command their individual instruments and compose some of the most awe inspiring melodies in rock today.

Four years since their last full length release, they return with MFZB, 15 tracks of growth and creative maturity unmatched by most current 'major label' bands. By toning down the "hip hop" thing a bit without completely selling that aspect of their sound out, they've fashioned together 15 songs that come across with the same speed and intensity of the most pop "punk" punk bands out there these days AND the crisp choruses of classic bands like Boston and Def Leppard. Those of you who write music know just how difficult a combo like this can be to pull off successfully. Not only did Zebrahead do it here on this record, but they pulled it off in mindblowing fashion. It's hard to hold what they lack slightly in the originality department against a group that's just so damn talented.

Songs like 'Type A' would give NOFX a run for their money. The chorus to 'Into You' would leave Christopher Cross scratching his head in disbelief. LL Cool J would be jealous of their "flow."

This record also pulls off politically themed songs without alienating listeners who may not be all that concerned with the current mess created by the Bush administration. There are plenty of tracks on MFZB that deal with heartbreak and self reflection like 'The Set-Up' to match the politically charged (yet mild in content) messages of others like 'Rescue Me' and 'Strength,' a song that I personally think should be the liberal anthem of '04. Simply put, there is a little something here for all of us. It is the perfect capsulation of this moment in rock music history.

Unless you're a maniacal punk purist (unfortunately, most of you probably are) I'd suggest that you give it a shot. I promise you that you will not be disappointed. Don't be afraid of the whole hip hop thing. This time around the rap parts are much more rock than "gangsta"; much more Rage Against The Machine/Red Hot Chili Peppers than Limp Bizkit/Linkin Park. I think they've finally found their sound by melding all of these different influences together in one smoothly flowing package. Nothing on this album sounds forced. Every single moment of it sounds energetic and sincere. It's scary to imagine how much better these guys will get with each passing album.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (April 21, 2006)

falling apart is fucking awesome

Anonymous (April 21, 2006)

i think that this band is the greatest in history now i know that might seem a little werid but dude i really dont care this band is what music sould be. ZEBRAHEAD ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous (April 21, 2006)

yeah i love this band I dont give a shit what others say the band and the album is kick ass

Anonymous (December 12, 2005)

Exceptionally catchy album. Definately more serious than previous efforts. Just like other Zebrahead albums (Waste of Mind particularly) I wouldn't say it's an album you keep in your rotation for years on end, but if you have a bunch of music on random and a song off this album comes on, I think you'd definately leave it on.

Well if you even liked the album to begin with.

Anonymous (February 25, 2005)

although i usually don't like fusion-rock bands like The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against the Machine, Zebrahead suprised me in a good way. Mixing some hard rock and sharp lyricks, this cd is a testimony of a very good band.

Anonymous (February 2, 2005)

Awesome album........i duno wot da otha wierdos were talking about when they were taking the mick outta Zebrahead!!

Anonymous (December 19, 2004)

they best band ever and songs especiallythe songs rescue me and falling apart

Anonymous (October 31, 2004)

Anyone who dosent like this album dosent know a damn thing about punk rock...... All you people want is generic punk bands like lagwagon or nofx it makes me sick. This album is by far the most underated album as were their other albums. They stick out and thats what makes them good you want to talk about bands who just play loud and fast look at nofx they blow and im not afraid to say it they suck they are unoriginal,and you can love zebrahead or hate them but they are original and they are verry important to the sceine..............

Anonymous (September 19, 2004)

yip yip yo yo yo wut yo yo

not as good as bibblefish massacre but still better than penguin bath of bum fluid.

all in all i dont think that ....... erm yeah wut was i saying

Anonymous (June 14, 2004)

Just saw the corprate shit comment....

Before you just write these guys off know that they get zero backing from thier label and everything is done diy just like all of your "real" punk bands out there. Lets get the facts straight before talking shit. Oh, and actually listening to the album with an open mind helps...

Anonymous (April 17, 2004)

c'mon guys, the rapper is not even white. get your facts straight.

Anonymous (April 16, 2004)

I just want to clarify that the negative NOFX comment cited below was not written by me. I love me some NOFX.

-Stewart Dowouis (dude who wrote this review)

trodgor (April 15, 2004)

"Probably because NOFX consists of a bunch of closed-minded assholes who would already be dead if they didn't have George Bush's stupidity to make them cool to the kids."

so i guess all those completely badass albums BEFORE they knew who Bush was meant nothing. fucking right wing nazi.

Anonymous (April 15, 2004)

OHMYGOD. fuck these guys.

I HATE HATE HATE ironic white kid hip-hop
SO
MUCH

also these dudes totally suck

Anonymous (April 15, 2004)

I really can't say this enough = this band is ass. Ass, ass, ass. The same can be said about Sugarcult. Ass x 10 = these two bands.

-c22

Anonymous (April 14, 2004)

"YOU IDIOTS! Zebrahead rules all. Incredibly underrated."

I agree.

Anonymous (April 14, 2004)

Man i couldnt agree more...i thought id hate it...but i gave it a chance. its so so so awesome

Anonymous (April 13, 2004)

"...this band is truly amazing."

"zebrahead showed signs of genius."

wow

Anonymous (April 13, 2004)

YOU IDIOTS! Zebrahead rules all. Incredibly underrated. Give up the screamo and emo and all that shit its lame anyway and throw on some MFZB. Maybe youll pick yourself up and out of the corner where your crying about some girl while dressed in black and worrying about your hair style.

Anonymous (April 13, 2004)

"Only white Eminem/Fred Durst wannabes say 'haters'."

Shut up man, quit drinking haterade!
-Freddy Dizzle from the Limp Biz yall, back up back up!

ElVaquero (April 12, 2004)

yesh, thish ish not worsh a 9

mikeshitter (April 12, 2004)

I guess most people think it's a little too "ass-kissy", like Jason Tate writing about Yellowcard or something. Hey, I like this album as much as the next guy (definitely better than Playmate), but you're heaping on the praise with a shovel, when maybe all you need is a tablespoon.

MaJolie (April 12, 2004)

These guys are more like Crazy Town than Lagwagon.