Posted on: November 12, 2012 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Michael Zapruder has created in eir latest work, Pink Thunder, a truly multimedia experience. The album is meant to be enjoyed alongside photos and poems. The myriad of different influences and styles that are broached during the 22 tracks on the disc unite to showcase the intricacies of a stellar musician. Zapruder is helped along the way by the efforts of 36 musicians (this list includes Tom Griesser, Ava Mendoza, and Nate Brenner of the TUnE-YaRdS, ensuring that what one hears on a track is miles away in form and overall approach. The track titles work well in establishing hints to whom Zapruder is, but I feel that the music in a Boobs are Real is much more nuanced than even the poetry would indicate. There are countless genres and influences broached during this release; Pennsylvania just feels raw and organic, while Birdman will be haunting throughout with the echoing instrumentation and the tremolo / xylophone-esque dynamic that is placed at the fore.

That You Go On immediately draws listeners in with a sing-song related tale that takes hints of Bright Eyes and Pavement, all while a mournful dirge creaks and groans in the background. From an Island continues this trend but spins things in a more hopeful fashion; the horn acts here as a secondary narrative element.

The Pink Thunder release can be enjoyed in various formats, be it the aforementioned poems and poetry or 12” vinyl release (The Kora Records); there is also a pink vinyl 7” floating around capturing four of the most vital pieces. Zapruder has a few dates in Boston (March 8th, 2013) and Iowa City (April 3rd), before making it back into Oakland on April 5th.

Top Tracks: At Play in My Garden on a Sunday Morning, That You Go On

Rating: 8.9/10

Michael Zapruder – Pink Thunder (LP) / 2012 The Kora Records / 22 Tracks / http://www.michaelzapruder.com

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