If ever you were in search of a blueprint on how you do a comeback album right, Count Zero’s thought so should be somewhere on that reference list. After 13 years, the Boston-based quintet is back with an eclectic collection of 10 sonic offerings that serves as both a fresh start for new listeners and as a continuation for the fans left waiting since the release of Never Be Yourself in 2011.
With work having started on the record as far back as 2014 by vocalist/guitarist Peter Moore at Palace Of Purpose in Boston, the end result is a kind of mix of Tom Vek’s Indie/Electro aesthetic combined with Mark Lanegan’s later solo offerings or the collaboration with Greg Dulli on The Gutter Twins.
“Never Be Alone” is some niche calculated chaos to start with a swarm of sounds seemingly congregating at once until the vocals enter as a kind of guiding light while “You Were You Are” is a quieter affair but no less stirring becoming a swirling stomping symphony complete with a choir before bowing out. “South” is a bouncing beaut fueled by Shawn Marquis’ booming beats and some killer keys accompaniment from Jude Heichelbech as Moore and Will Ragano’s guitars recite refreshing riff after refreshing riff leading towards the Soul-fueled slow burn of lead single “Overthinking”.
“Upside Down” is another prime example of how Count Zero do left of center Rawk so well with vocals careening between sweeping croons and controlled verse bursts as a flurry of terrifically timed aural activity fades in and out as “BigWig” saunters in next bringing all the Groove with bassist Mike Corbett and guest percussion from Ken Winokur solidly building the backbone.
“Riding A Wave” is a quirky Rawk/Pop number with airs of Elvis Costello while Heichelbech’s keys and voice taking center stage on “With A Feather” that’s classy yet haunting in a Gothic sort of way. “Tail Bites Dog” features Joel Simches on keys on a particularly powerful number that leads toward the glistening “Girl On A Corner” which is a steadily pulsating finale filled with gorgeous piano lines and all the magic that’s made every note within every song on thought so just right.
thought so arrives through SineAppleSap on November 8th, the same night as a record release shindig presented by Bumblebee Radio over at Sonia and featuring Singer Mali and Lovina Falls (Whose performance here will be their last of 2024 if that helps motivate you) with ticket links available directly when you click here. You can pre-save/pre-order the record now by heading here and then head here or here for all the rest of your Count Zero news.