The Knack – Zoom – 1998
Let’s get this out there. I love love love the opening track, “Pop is Dead”, an infectious, snarky, reflective commentary on the state of pop culture wrapped up in a perfect 3:48 confection.
Terry Bozzio’s drums emulate Bruce Gary’s flourishy fills that I adored on that first record so much.
So, how’s the rest?
LiveBlog time.
1. Pop Is Dead – Perfect.
2. Can I Borrow a Kiss? – A catchy knock off of “Needles & Pins”, sublime Power Pop
3. Smilin’ – Bozzio seems to have affected everyone here. And elevated everything at once. This song could’ve been a single.
4. Ambition – Co-Written by Stan Lynch (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), a weaker affair. As most of the stuff Fieger doesn’t write with Averre tends to be. But it doesn’t suck. Probably better acoustic.
5. Mister Magazine – Reminds me of Cheap Trick, a lot. That’s not bad. They could’ve been cousins.
6. Everything I Do – Another Co-write. This time with Suzi Quatro writer Melissa Connell. It’s a ballad. A very Beatles-y one. And not that great.
7. Love is All There Is – Every 21st Century Power Pop band sounds like this song. Sparklejets UK, Andersons, Jellyfish, everyone on the IPO roster.
8. Terry & Julie Step Out – From the opening riff this sounds more like an old-school Knack song than any other. A treat. (With the haunting chants of “No. 9”, the band just isn’t hiding their Beatles love anymore)
9. Harder on You – No Knack album is complete without a Buddy Holly/Roy Orbison style track. That’s this one. It’s not bad, but it’s nothing special. Written by Averre with, hey! Prescott Niles, the bassist! Good for you, Prescott!
10. You Gotta Be There – A Fieger Ballad. Actually, I don’t think I’ve heard as earnest a one in the band’s catalog yet. Have I? Not like this. I kind of like it.
11. Good Enough – A promising percussive-soul-rocker that wants to be better than it is. And it’s too long, to boot. š
12. In Blue Tonight – A melancholy nostalgia trip that builds into a Nick Lowe-esque rocker. Someone’s getting older….One of the most mature pieces Fieger’s ever written.
13. Tomorrow – Niles gets back in on the action with F&A for a straight ahead rocker. A rave-up, actually.
14. (All in the) All in All – Okay, I get it! You wanna be the Beatles! Jeez, porpoise song much? But it’s fine. It’s to be expected. That’s who Fieger really wanted to be anyway. He gets a pass.
Zoom isn’t bad. Not by a long shot. It’s easily the 3rd best Knack album. And if it had been trimmed, it would give Round Trip a run for it’s money. The band never stood a chance. Their time had come and gone. But, what’re ya gonna do? Quit?
Didn’t think so.
Grade: B
ASide: Pop Is Dead, Can I Borrow a Kiss
BlindSide: In Blue Tonight, Smilin’, Tomorrow
DownSide: Good Enough, Everything I Do
