June 13, 2004
Boon Reviews Zero7
Our music boy Boon Kondo goes and reviews Zero7. Hey, how comes he gets to go out to play and I get to have LCD burn in on my retina?
Zero 7 show review
by Boon KondoMay 31
Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver
The last time Zero 7 was here, they played the same night as Remy Shand. When I finally decided which one to go to (day of…), first choice was sold out, then so was the second. Having missed Air a month ago, I was pretty stoked about this show.
Having also just experienced an amazing weekend of music (Thievery, Roots, Talib K on the 28th, then watching the hip hop documentary Freestyle: the Art of Rhymin’), getting to watch Zero 7 live on the following Monday was no joke.
And, yes, the show: having just got a hold of their new CD, can say that they definitely sounded better live. The first CD still sounds fine to me but I think they’re second/current one lacks some of the keyboards and effects that the first did. But when they put it together live, it brought me back to the time Morcheeba was here (Feb. 2003), which I also went solo. What an intimate night. Just me, a crown ‘n’ seven, a doobie, and the Zero 7 musicians: 3 female vocalists, one dude, drums, guitar, bass, 3 keyboardists and a whole lot of couples makin out and shit.
Today, whats so dope is that ‘electronic / downtempo’ act shows really bring together the best of both worlds of the atmospheric and organic. Cosmic keyboards and effects coupled with acoutistic guitars and subtle human vocals (that you can actually hear live). As with Thievery, the use of various‘featured’ (though staple) vocalists in show compared to the actual lead singer of a band (ie. Skye Edwards, Morcheeba), may not have the performance presence and charisma of the one but it does give the show some variety. And it is always a sign when a ‘band’ sounds better live than on disc, right?
This review was written by Boon Kondo of Schema Magazine
Photos
YUM to Zero7. The shame regardng this concert is that it was 19+...I know a lot of youngin's out there that just like good music, Zero7 being some of it. Their records, "When it Falls" along with "Simple Things" are so refreshing. Its like new wave hotel lobby/elevator music. More likely than not to be played at tres trendy boutique hotels...but i gotta know, how was the crowd, minus the public displays of affection.
Posted by: Andrea at June 13, 2004 01:47 PM
Andrea, its a shame but 90% of non-teeny bopper shows are at bars/clubs so....
The crowd was pretty mixed, lots of couples, older (mid-late 20ish and up).
If you like Zero 7, you should check out Air's first CD - Moon Safari and also their b-side collection Premier Symptons. Zero 7 def. followed in those footsteps.
Posted by: BOON at June 13, 2004 02:44 PM
man... mid late 20'ish is considered "older" now?
oh right... 19- youngin's...
Posted by: Yutai at June 13, 2004 03:45 PM
Dude, face it, we arent young any more (age wise anyhow, ha!)
Posted by: BOON at June 14, 2004 11:09 AM
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