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***It has been 18 months since the release of Zykos' debut Comedy Horn, named one of Texas' best albums of 2003 by the Austin Chronicle. In addition to touring with a diverse group of bands (from Explosions in the Sky to Cursive to TV on the Radio to Okkervil River), chief songwriter Michael Booher spent this time holed up in a variety of Texas locales crafting the skeleton of the album that has become their self-titled sophomore release. The "wall of sound" arrangements of Comedy Horn have been augmented by brighter synth and keys touches on top of even bigger hooks. Their dynamic second effort finds more calm amid the chaos, and manages to be more cohesive without sacrificing any of Zykos' trademark intensity. The band, which lives together in Austin, Texas, takes musical cues ranging from classical arrangements (pianist Catherine Davis is a classically trained piano teacher) to the pseudo-arena rock of The Afghan Whigs and beyond. But any resemblance to other bands of their ilk is torn away with Booher's distinctively raw vocals and the prodding, organic bass lines of Mike Roeder. Having laid a strong foundation with Comedy Horn's 2003 tours, Zykos plans to be on tour throughout the fall of 2004, with no signs of stopping in the near future. |
