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Zero Zero

AM Gold (2001)
Jade Tree Records

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Contributed by: Aubin
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on July 9th 2001

Can someone tell me what the hell is going on over at Jade Tree? After signing some of the best, and most exciting bands I've ever heard (Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, pre-Electric Pink Promise Ring) they just went off the deep end. I mean, post-punk means that there is at least some punk left in there, but the kind of stuff they've been signing is as pretentious, overblown and self-indulgent as the very music punk was designed to destroy.

(Also, they never send me any free stuff. And I'm nicer to them than buddyhead.com. Picture me sticking my tongue out now.)

Anyway, for those who don't know, Lifetime is one of the greatest bands ever. I can't think of a better catalogue, and a better history than the band that stands alone as having combined pop and hardcore in the truest sense. Of course, Lifetime broke up. And the former members went their seperate ways.

Half went on to form the unbelievably good Kid Dynamite, featuring Lifetime guitarist, and main songwriter, Dr.Dan Yemin and Dave Wagenschutz, who was a former drummer for Lifetime. The vocalist, Ari Katz, and multi-talented Dave Palaitis went on to form this band, Zero Zero.

Now, Zero Zero is post-punk in the most literal form. Two of the members are literally doing this as a post-punk project. The original intent, I've heard, was to release a straightforward guitar-bass-drums record, and god, I wish they had.

The best thing I can compare this to is Reggie and the Full Effect, but not the catchy songs, those annoying little tracks inbetween songs with weird noises and drunk people talking. That's what's going on here. It appears they sat down with what sounds like a $20 Casio keyboard, punched a couple of keys over the preset rhythms and wrote some vocals. Don't get me wrong, Ari is still a great singer, and writes great hooks, but the music as a whole sounds like a joke project, not the long awaited return of one of the best vocalists in punk.

To be honest, I hope it is a joke, because it pained me to listen to it even once. It's funny, how Kid Dynamite is really a harder extension of Lifetime, and Zero Zero is really a harder extension of the demo music that comes on those cheap keyboards. If we're lucky, they'll rethink this "retro-techno-k-mart" sound they've got going, and we'll get some good material.

I'm sad now.

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the_pro_from_dover (September 19, 2006)

Finally picked this up...it's pretty good. Not usually what I go for, but it's fun, danceable, and kick-ass in its own right.

Anonymous (June 17, 2006)

Oh, my world. It is ok

Anonymous (February 17, 2005)

Oman, lets bitch because it's not punk music, okay? Fuckwit. Just because they used to be in a punk band doesn't mean they HAVE to keep being punk. If it's not your thing, it's not your thing, you give an unbiased review about it, jack ass, your review blows ass. Learn how to be a critic, then write reviews.

sciulli (July 22, 2004)

I think True Zero is great. If I like that song, should I get the whole album?

Anonymous (June 4, 2004)

Poor Review

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

I had the rare situation of hearing Zero Zero before ever hearing Lifetime (I don't get out much, no). I downloaded a free mp3 from epitonic.com (which everyone should love forever) and I was hooked. I loved this band, and I loved the album. It's just so crappy, and cute. It's like dirty techno. And so damn catchy I want to die. Maybe if I had known Ari & Dave from Lifetime I would hate this album too... but I love it. It could be better if they had done more songs and less filler weirdness, but I'm not complaining. I should also mention that I'm a huge pothead, since so far I have come across no one who likes Zero Zero who isn't. ^^ -Nivia

Wooderson (November 20, 2003)

I love this album. But I also love smoking pot and chewing shrooms and that might have something to do with it. This CD is also great to have some bump and crind sex too. whatever that means

Aubin (July 24, 2001)

I should mention that I just got my first review package from Jade Tree, so I can no longer complain that they never send me anything :) Thanks guys.

Anonymous (July 10, 2001)

Aubin writes the best reviews I've ever had the pleasure of reading. If you don't like them, go write your own and stop complaining.

Anonymous (July 10, 2001)

I like it, its fun to listen to. Not great, but fun. C'mon, though, Jade Tree signed Joan of Arc years ago, and they suck harder than Zero Zero ever possibly could.

Aubin (July 10, 2001)

boohoo it isnt punk music. though who says all good music as to be punk music. its a good record if you listen but i guess you were to busy crying over how it isnt punk rock.

Wow. The concept that not everyone agrees with you about music is clearly lost on you.

Anonymous (July 9, 2001)

boohoo it isnt punk music. though who says all good music as to be punk music. its a good record if you listen but i guess you were to busy crying over how it isnt punk rock.

Aubin (July 9, 2001)

Geez. When I like something that isn't punk, I get called a sell-out. When I don't like something that isn't punk, I am called closed minded. To call me closed-minded is a little unfair. The fact that this record wasn't punk isn't lost on me. In fact, I like a lot of stuff that most people don't. A little electronic (Skinny Puppy comes to mind) some classical and Opera (Puccinni and Strauss) and a variety of other stuff. I just didn't like this record. I don't hate new wave, I don't hate non-punk music, I just didn't like this record. Sorry.

Anonymous (July 9, 2001)

Don't buy the record if you dont wanna hear it grabass. It's a new wave style record - fun pointless music. But really thanks for the Lifetime history lesson..it's not like it's something we all don't know all already..no it is...stop reviewing.

Anonymous (July 9, 2001)

this is a good review, but i cant believe it's that bad coming from members of the greatest band to reach my ear drums(lifetime).i've learned to trust aubin, so i'll take his word for it.-fathead

Anonymous (July 9, 2001)

Geez.. fuck you

Open your mind this is a great record and sounds incredible.. Song #2 is the best song to listen to when youre on shrooms

Fuck this isnt punk shit, who cares