And succeeding at almost none of them.

Zookeeper - Becoming All Things
Posted by Rachel Lux on 26-Feb-08 @ 12:31 PM

[2/5]
Musically, Zookeeper's Chris Simpson seems to have a bad habit of not finishing what he started-from dismantling emo progenitors Mineral at the height of their success to letting the woefully underrated Gloria Record languish in dreampop oblivion. So it's not surprising (although still disappointing) to hear how unfocused Zookeeper's debut album sounds. A well-orchestrated project in the vein of Neutral Milk Hotel-trembling vocals, ghostly folk-tales, colorful horns-Becoming All Things too often sounds rickety and half-formed, rather than transcendent. Songs meant to be loose-the folksy campfire jam "On Madison Way," the Dylan-esque barnstorm "Snow In Berlin" or the old-time-saloon-esque "Trumpets"-feel instead like the result of an interminably boring, meandering jam session.

That's not to say there aren't moments of beauty on Becoming: The mournful piano and organ mesh perfectly with acoustic guitars on the hushed hymn "On High," while the stomping, trumpet-festooned "Ballad Of My Friends" screams pure joy. Just like in his former bands, Simpson's wobbly voice always rings true, conveying that his heart is on his sleeve. But even that's not enough to save Zookeeper's debut from not living up to its potential. (BELLE CITY POP) Annie Zaleski

ROCKS LIKE:
Neutral Milk Hotel's In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Bright Eyes' Cassadaga
Beirut's Gulag Orkestar


Official Website: http://www.bellecitypop.com