Zabocus are based around the songwriting duo of Ted Zahn (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards and drum programming) and Steve Bonino (vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards and drum programming), joined by Laura Green (vocals), Steve Anabale (trumpet), and Joe Canuel (electric guitar). This is their fourth release since forming a decade ago and is the final part of the ‘Trouble Town Trilogy’ (there is a special three-CD set available as well as this standalone). The trilogy tells the story of a once-thriving community which falls into bad times when the factories close down, only for the town to be reborn when two people make a discovery of a new energy source and this album follows this last part.
With three distinct singers, and a combination of Americana, folk, pop, country, and rock, this is a well-balanced release which is a lot of fun to listen to. One of the most powerful songs is “Vision”, which reminds me of none other than the mighty Harry Chapin – I started listening to Harry about 30 years ago and have all his official albums, plus plenty of bootleg live, so that is not praise I give lightly. We then get a total switch of mood with the glorious “I’m So Proud” with vocals by Laura, and then again with “Overture” when Styx combine with Chicago to lead us into the discovery itself.
This is a light album, easy to enjoy, full of passion and American promise. In this dark world it is a thing of joy, which we do not have enough of these days. 8/10 by Kev Rowland
