The Zolas

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There’s something happening on the west coast. Whether it’s in the air, the water, or the drugs, a pool of talent has formed around the notion that you can have your pop and eat it too, with brainy, prog-influenced weird-beards like Bend Sinister and arcane psycho-confectioners Mother Mother demonstrating that musical complexity can still be hummable. Commercial, even.

Throw the Zolas into the picture and dammit – you might even call it a scene! Not that it’s ever been a concern to long-term musical partners Zach Gray and Tom Dobrzanski, who established their gifts for intricate songcraft three years ago under the name Lotus Child.

Since then, the duo has finessed its formula into something even busier yet no less direct, filling their new album Tic Toc Tic with hairpin turns, schizoid tonal shifts, multiple parts, and a sort of cabaret strut.

Miraculously, between New Pornographers vet Howard Redekopp’s unfinicky production and the clarity of Gray and Dobrzanski’s vision, Tic Toc Tic works like a charm. Complex without being alienating, it aims equally and with dead-eyed precision for the head, heart, and groin.

Guitarist-vocalist Gray hits on the twin poles that define Tic Toc Tic when he reveals an equal passion for the visceral Scandinavian dream pop of Mew, whose influence is obvious, and the classic music hall rag of the Kinks, whose influence is anything but. Not on first listen, anyway, though the presence of Ray Davies is felt in Gray’s lyrics. Particularly when he turns his attention to the mundane, like the character in “You’re Too Cool” who wrestles with his vulnerability at Vancouver’s hipster HQ the Biltmore.

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  • Leon_Boudon

    Ancient Mars просто до неприличия прекрасна. Хочется танцевать до бесконечности; и, конечно, воображать себя на Марсе! ;) Танцующим на своем личном древнем Марсе ;))..

    9 May 4:16pm Reply
  • AlinaLuna

    simply amazin

    21 Feb 10:44pm Reply
  • ORCHESTRA_CHILD

    this music are simple and amazing at the same time. Hey guys, come to Belarus!

    6 Jan 12:42am Reply
  • URshoo

    "You may one day be queen - but to me you'll always be that strange girl." <3

    24 Dec 2012 Reply
  • leonarbe

    This guys are from my home town... AMAZING!! Every time I listen to them it makes me a Knot In My Heart XD

    14 Dec 2012 Reply
  • RunRocketRun

    good

    13 Dec 2012 Reply
  • dasha_keller

    you're so inspiring

    9 Dec 2012 Reply
  • MadSeason-

    nice fellas

    10 Nov 2012 Reply
  • SunNeverDies

    vanilla guys, like me. love it.

    8 Nov 2012 Reply
  • Liteee

    Not bad at all!

    7 Nov 2012 Reply
  • Joshua_Brolin

    I've just discovered this band and I already fucking love them <3

    25 Jan 2012 Reply
  • LTHMPLS

    There are some brilliant tracks here and some that miss for me. They are hellaciously talented and ambitious though. Curious what is next from them.

    18 Dec 2011 Reply
  • fernandosantz

    cool

    9 Dec 2011 Reply
  • mischulqaaa

    awesome.

    10 Aug 2011 Reply
  • th3v4n

    congrats on passing 3000 listeners! :)

    29 Jul 2011 Reply
  • altjunkie

    When is your new album coming out, I miss you guys. Still my favorite band through, I feel I message you guys too much ;). Also where can I get your song guest?

    25 Apr 2011 Reply
  • Kohl337

    Love you guys. Definitely bought your album and would buy more if I could.

    25 Mar 2011 Reply
  • ace0spades

    So underrated.

    4 Feb 2011 Reply
  • krimescene

    Saw you guys in Charlottetown. I had no idea you were going to be playing but I was completely blown away by how much I loved your music. :)

    12 Sep 2010 Reply
  • darkvaliumsky

    Such an underrated band. Went to the Dal concert and you guys brought such a great atmosphere and energy to the show. After seeing you I didn't even want to see Marians trench, I already had a great time. Please come back to Halifax! <3

    9 Sep 2010 Reply
  • All 33 shouts