Album Review: Taxis – Zoos of Berlin

The debut album form Zoos of Berlin is a startlingly expansive journey of a gorgeous spacey soundscapes. Drummer/engineer Collin Dupuis and band mates recorded Taxisin a make-shift 5,000 sq. foot studio within the Russell Industrial Center. The result is a haunting and natural reverb and tonality that brings to mind David Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy. The texture isn’t the only thing the Zoos have going for them, they have an inherent sense pulling out fresh melodies from complex layered harmony. The vocal work of Trevor Naud and Daniel I. Clark is precise and flexible. Their vocal styling reminds me of the Beta Band, but Zoos have a wider range.

The songs are diverse, yet remain consistent thematically. “Black in the Sun” has a rippling horn punctuating throughout the catchy krautrock. Clocking in at just over two minutes, the cryptic lyrics and baroque keyboards don’t leave anything feeling incomplete. “Juan Matus” has a flavors of Stereolab which escalates into a hazed merry-go-round collapsing onto itself, only to resurface as a lounge-y keyboard solo from Will Yates. Another golden track, “Electrical Way” has a funk reminiscent of Headhunters era Herbie Hancock while maintaining the straightforwardness of The Strokes. As with the other songs on Taxis, “Electrical Way” doesn’t give you the opportunity to get bored, it re-invents itself seamlessly and beautifully. I can’t recommend this album enough.

FEATURED TRACK
“Black In The Sun Room” – Zoos of Berlin

** Zoos of Berlin will be playing at the Crofoot in Pontiac on Friday, November 6th along with Black Heart Procession, Thunderbirds Are Now! and Prussia.