TZU
Millions Of Moments
Reviewed by Paul Bonadio on 24 September 2012
Rated 5.5 out of 10
Key Track: Nowhere Home
Listen to music now on MOG
Relieved of the need to remain faithful to the genre they cut their teeth on, TZU have delivered a dystopian, noir-drenched journey few would’ve expected.
Millions Of Moments, the band’s fourth LP and first in several years, removes the quirkiness of previous efforts like Smiling At Strangers and replaces it with tales of Tasmanian cannibals and 18th century stalkers.
It’s a far darker and colder offering that is broken only momentarily by a few shades of light towards the album’s final stretch.
Kudos must go to the band for breaking out and undertaking an ambition far beyond the scope of most Aussie hip-hop crews. Still, it’s almost too big a transition – especially for fans – to take.
There’s barely a rap spat and throughout many tracks there are long stretches of warehouse instrumentals.
At times it clicks. ‘Running From Zardoz’ is a pulsing spin that would look comfortable in a Matrix soundtrack. ‘Nowhere Home’ is another that drives with a rush akin to Midnight Juggernauts, and is easily the LP’s standout.
The title track, which is buried near the end of the album, is the closest thing to old school TZU on offer and provides a pleasant trip for long-time followers. The rest, however, feels slightly lifeless and lacking in the band’s trademark vibe.
Though Millions Of Moments is a worthy addition to the TZU discography, most fans and casual observers will be divided over the band’s new-found fondness for drum machines and moody ambience.
-Paul Bonadio
Recent Record Reviews
Kid Cudi
Indicud
Released through Republic, 2013
Indicud is the third studio album by Cleveland artist, Kid Cudi. We’ve gotten some tastes of the hip-hopper in the past few years in the form...
3 days ago
The Cat Empire
Steal The Light
Released through Inertia, 2013
Renowned Melbourne band The Cat Empire return to release their fifth album Steal The Light as they celebrate ten years together as a band since their...
6 days ago
Keep On Dancin's
Black Lassie
Released through Long Gone Records, 2013
The debut 7-track from Keep On Dancin’s comes straight of a Lynchian fantasy with swampy guitars and echoed vocals that brings a promising sound for the...
1 week ago
Good Oak
Good Oak
Released through HAAF Records, 2013
It’s not for everyone, but if there was ever going to be a release that could swing more listeners towards folk music, Good Oak’s self-titled EP...
5 days ago
The National
Trouble Will Find Me
Released through 4AD, 2013
Along with the announcement of The National’s sixth studio album came an important quote from frontman Matt Berninger. “After touring High Violet, I think we felt like...
1 day ago
