The Zing Zangs are a folk duo from Vancouver, Canada, who have already made their mark on the world despite only recently bursting on to the scene. Their new album The Good Day is quite superb, featuring eleven delightful tunes, expertly produced by award-winning producer Dean Jones. The album in true "Virginia Woolf" fashion, recites the story of a single day in the life of two good friends.
The opening track "Prelude" sets the scene, with the sound of birds taking centre stage alongside some lively percussion. The music although only thirty nine seconds long, captures the essence of a brand new day and a genuine sense of wonder about what lies ahead.
The next track immediately provides the answer, where a 'sleepy Sunday cooked up inside' eventuates in the idea to form a band. Here, fingers are no longer wasted tapping on the table top, but are used to locate the required instruments that 'could use a helping hand'. A major strength of the song is its coherent melody, combined with a simplicity of delivery both sweet and charming in turn.
"Chatterbox" is even more upbeat, with its sprightly melody, and garrulous lyrics crammed into an increasingly bizarre arrangement. Here a reciprocal vocal dominates the chorus, before the song disappears as quickly as it arrives.
"Good Day" provides another example of the strength of songwriting on display here. The syncopation of the lyrics, and the space created allows the melody to really soar, and the heartfelt vocal delivery finishes the job in fine style.
"Invisible Friend" describes the fascinating relationship the artist shares with her imaginary friend; the vocals of which reminded me a little of one of my favourite Irish bands the Cranberries. The music is pulsating and succinct, before it embarks on an intriguing bridge where the melody really explodes before coming to an abrupt end. I would have liked to have heard more but there you go.
"Hide and Seek" is a no-nonsense piece of electronica, which clearly benefits from the input of the very talented Mista Cookie Jar, who brings his own unique brand of rap to the proceedings. This song is so cool, a real foot stomper if there ever was one, and essentially provides a musical illustration of the famous game we can all relate to.
What can I say about "Park Song", I was literally blown away by this. It proceeds with a melody that even Dylan would be proud of. The ability of these two artists to effortlessly bash out a brilliant tune is very impressive. The lyrics even find the space to describe the song writing process that takes place where 'the melody just kicks in every time'. Certainly a novel idea, and essentially a song which describes the importance of friendship, with just a hint of melancholy.
"Shadows Dance" features a sparse guitar, some minimal keyboards and the most beautiful vocal you are ever likely to hear. The lyrics are sweet and heartfelt, and the melody complements the lyrics superbly. Like all great wordsmiths the words soar and swirl around an intoxicating melody that clearly hits the target. It is the effortless delivery though that really sets the tone, with the artist expressing a purity of spirit that reminded me a little of Enya.
As the album draws to a close, we finally find ourselves 'On the Front Porch" where the crickets are out, as we reach the end of this majestic day. The music has a light jazzy feel, as the lyrics describe the simple desire to kick back together 'while the nightbirds sing'. If you are fond of imaginative lyrics then this is the song for you, with a dazzling array of images on display. The music also captures an old-fashioned sense of wonder, with a soundtrack that could fit on a Louis Armstrong album.
The final track "Soup" reminded me a little of "Her Majesty" by the Beatles with its punchy succinct statement squeezed in right at the end. On this occasion "Soup" appears on the menu asking the question 'do you drink soup or do you eat it'? A charming little ditty, perhaps gently reminding the listener that as the night draws in, we may be hungry and just have enough time for a light meal before bed time. The obvious thing to do at this point, would be to write a bed time song, but here the duo have cleverly drawn the curtain on proceedings with a gentle prod in a different direction.
The Zing Zangs are a very talented duo, who are able to craft songs with intoxicating melodies and memorable lyrics. Their album provides a breath of fresh air in a complex world, where life is viewed here as exciting and opportunistic, despite the perils that may surround. All in all a delightful album, which blends a cerebral sound, with sublime vocals which successfully reflects the optimism on display.
The Zing Zangs - I'll be there for you when the rain starts to fall.
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