ZAN CLAN - We Are Zan Clan, Who The F*** Are You?

Posted: 7/24/05

Reviewed by: Lynn Phillips

Category: Sleaze Rock / Hard Rock

Released: 2005

Label URL: www.perrisrecords.com

Artist URL: www.zanclan.com

You could probably count the number of artists on one hand that left their original group, joined or reformed another band and still sounded pretty much exactly like the band they originated from.  Since you hear the term “musical differences” cited as the reason for bands breaking up with regularity in the heavy metal and hard rock scene, you kind of had to figure that Zinny Zan’s Zan Clan (say that three times fast) would be quite a bit different than Shotgun Messiah, the band that gave Zinny his big break.  Well, I’m happy to report, that’s not true here.  In fact, the new Zan Clan disc sounds pretty much exactly like the 80’s sleeze rockers Shotgun Messiah.  Imagine a combination of the self-titled release and the follow up, The Second Coming, and you’ll have a very good idea of what We Are Zan Clan sounds like.  In my opinion, that’s a very good thing as Shotgun Messiah was a catchy, high-energy, party band from the 80’s that sang songs about fun things like girls, partying and having a good time.  While some people may have been burned out with that music a couple of decades ago, now it’s a refreshing breath of fresh air, as no one else is releasing music in that style. 

I reviewed Zinny’s last disc City Boy Blues on this site a while back and while it was enjoyable, it had a very Thin Lizzy like feel.  The new release, however, is a throwback to Zinny’s sleaze rock roots with patented sc-sc-screaming guitars and occasional high-pitched vocals.  Truth be told, there’s hardly a weak track on the whole disc.  The songs vary slightly from frantic hard rockers to more melodic riff driven tunes.  There isn’t a ballad to be found and while all the tracks rock hard, there’s enough variety so you’ll never feel like you’re hearing the same song over and over again.  It’s worth noting that the production is top notch because that can often be the downfall of a release in this musical style. 

The Bloody Truth: Nostalgia is back in a very big way with the new Zan Clan opus, and I’m so impressed with this cd that it’s a front runner for my favorite release of 2005.  Fans of 80’s sleaze rock will find a lot to like here as Zan Clan sounds a whole helluva lot like Shotgun Messiah.