The Bay Area indie heroes known as
Z-Sides have released their new LP powerhouse, “Ad Infinitum.”
Like the rest of the Z-Sides
repertoire, the full-length record has been proudly published as an
independent release without the direction or support of the corporate
music industry. Raw and unpolished, yet sparkling like an uncut
diamond on an exotic shore, “Ad Infinitum” takes its place among
the great works of subculture art and proves that Z-Sides are keeping
indie rock relevant in 2017 and beyond.
A sneak preview of the record has been
made available at the Z-Sides official BandCamp page here:
https://z-sides.bandcamp.com/album/ad-infinitum.
Z-Sides cite as influences '90s
mainstays like My Bloody Valentine,Yo La Tengo, Teenage Fanclub and
Wilco, but also less intuitive picks like U2, REM, Rush, Dream
Theater, and Yes. Their sound is organic, cruising, sometimes driving
and aggressive, other times narrative and rolling in the groove. Fans
of records like “More Fun in the New World” by X and “Bee
Thousand” by Guided by Voices will find a rare treat in “Ad
Infinitum,” while new kids to the sound will find it growing on
them until the realization sinks in – music like this is why
people stopped listening to the radio.
Tracks of particular note include
power-pop opening track, “Fortune Hunter,” surprising acoustic
roller, “Something Begun,” and the back-to-back pairing of
“Non-Plussed” and “Paper Thin,” the chunky, bassy grooves of
which dovetail together nicely. “Good Thing Going” is slated to
be one of those crowd pleasers Z-Sides will play near the end of
their set for a strong finish, while the uber fuzz and telephoned
vocals of “One Small Person” showcase primary songwriter Lane
Pianta's fearless creativity.
For Pianta, the quality of these songs
comes from equal parts earnestness and hard work.
“At its best, I think music can be
the most life-affirming of all the arts,” he writes, “but it's
also one of the most demanding. Sometimes it seems as if, for every
grace note, a pound of flesh will be required. So, I think it's
important to try to put something forward that gives listeners a
genuine glimpse into who we are as people trying to make our way in
the 21st century.”
The audible humanity of “Ad
Infinitum” isn't the only element setting Z-Sides apart from the
legions of me-too music groups, but it might be the most endearing.
Besides a tone that can be reminiscent of Fugazi's mellower moments
while evoking thoughts of fringe punk bands like Husker Du and 7
Seconds, Z-Sides' new record sports verve, passion, narrative and
even bits of philosophy.
“Making music this way is not the
normal thing,” says Pianta, “but if you hope to make something
extraordinary, you can't conform to everyday expectations. You have
to push yourself into unfamiliar territory at some point in each
song, or else it's hardly worth the effort of putting an album
together at all. If you're not a little uncomfortable with some of
the truths you're expressing about yourself, you may not be
expressing quite enough.”
Z-Sides are Lane Pianta, Joe Rubio, and
Steve Chait. In addition to their considerable talents, “Ad
Infinitum” also features arresting performances by cellist Michelle
Kwon. Studio production is by Angelo Rossi of the Cave Studios in
Mountain View, CA, with mastering by Vince Hudson.
“Ad Infinitum” by Z-Sides is
available at over 700 online music stores worldwide beginning 30
December 2016, or from their official BandCamp page now. Get in
early, indie rock, post-punk and power pop fans. Very early.
-S. McCauley
Lead Press Release Writer
www.MondoTunes.com
“Ad Infinitum” by Z-Sides –
Official Z-Sides Facebook Page
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