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Zan Zone: Start Where You Stand
 New York artist Zan Burnham has been making music since the mid ‘90s. His previous album, It’s Only Natural released in 2018 was my first listen to the band and I was mightily impressed. His latest effort titled Start Where You Stand, released in 2022, continues where the band left off, showcasing Burnham’s excellent guitar work.
Melodic guitar riffs begin the album opening “Bad Dreams”, an excellent guitar driven rock song with stabbing leads and excellent vocals. Another searing guitar solo can be heard in the Neil Young and Crazy Horse-like title track. “Watching The World Go By” features an unusual vocal middle section that gives it an eclectic rock feel while “I Won’t Live A Lie”, again, reminds me of Neil Young, especially Burnham’s lead vocals. There are two instrumental tracks, “Extinction: Rebellion” and “Extinction: Romp”. The former features near progressive metal riffage with dramatic builds and inventive guitar while the latter showcases Burnham’s fantastic guitar work with hints of Purple’s “Smoke On The Water”. Perhaps the catchiest tune is the infectious “Survival” with one of the more memorable vocal performances on the disc.
Start Where You Stand is another excellent work from Zan Zone, and one I think will appeal to fans of guitar led melodic rock. Absolutely recommended.
The band:
Zan Burnham (vocals, guitars, picked bass, percussion, theremin)
Saadi Zain (fingered electric and acoustic bass)
Marko Djordjevic (drums and percussion)
Angela Watson Modeste (vocals)
Arianna Burnham (vocals)
Philip Dessinger (vocals)
Track Listing:
1. Bad Dreams (4:49)
2. Start Where You Stand (4:51)
3. Watching The World Go By (5:57)
4. I Won’t Live A Lie (4:37)
5. Extinction: Rebellion (4:41)
6. Baby Cried (3:40)
7. That (5:29)
8. One Step Ahead Of The Red (5:01)
9. Extinction: Romp (4:05)
10. Survival (5:27)
11. Hot And Cold (5:09)
12. Holdin’ You Tight (3:11)
Added: May 4th 2023
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score: 
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 731
Language: english
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Zan Zone: Start Where You Stand
Posted by Steven Reid, SoT Staff Writer on 2023-05-04 17:29:09
My Score:
The world has changed a lot since Zan Zone, the band propelled by producer, songwriter, guitarist and singer Zan Burnham last stepped out with It’s Only Natural in 2018, and from what I can tell from Start Where You Stand, this talented individual isn’t so sure that things are as natural as they once were. Fired up would be a good description for what Zan Zone sound, with the events across those five years burning deep at the core of the twelve songs presented this time. That, however, is merely a starting point, Burnham making sure that the songs that hold those thoughts are as tight as drummer Marko Djordjevic’s snare pops across this release. They are also equally varied, with everything from blues to gritty Americana, pop, soul and rock of many persuasions covered as this album morphs from approach to approach.
Maybe it’s that slight flitting nature in attack but personally I found that it took a little while for this collection of songs to reveal themselves to me, with the initial feel of a scattergun outburst settling over repeat listens into a varied but remarkably cohesive journey. The main driving force behind that isn’t just Burnham and his songs, with the band leader clever enough to surround himself with some real talent. Singers Phillip Dessinger, Angela Watson-Modeste and Arianna Burnham bring a huge amount of colour to the music, and special mention must also be made for Djordjevic and bassist Saadi Zain, who build the backbone from where everything sprouts from.
Opener “Bad Dreams” sounds much more joyous than its lyrical intent alludes but with a more ebullient Neil Young like approach there’s also a real authenticity. Young again is a touching point for the album’s title track, but in much more stripped down, stark style - Zan’s vocals impassioned and involving. Whereas it’s the gang vocals of “Watchin’ The World Go By” that stick in the mind, all four singers (I think) combining at points - and I’m guessing that live this would be a sure fire winner, especially with its killer guitar solo.
Other highlights come thick and fast, “Baby Cried” featuring a stunning vocal from Watson-Modeste, who is a singer I’m definitely going to be keeping an ear out for in the future. The song itself walks a clever line between restrained and forceful, becoming a real grower as it does so, while the non-consecutive instrumental pairing of “Extinction: Rebellion” and “Extinction: Romp” show off another impressive side to the band, with the drama and depth delivered on the pair truly palpable.
Start Where You Stand is indeed my starting point with Zan Zone, but it certainly won’t be where my journey with this band ends.
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