Eagles Of Death Metal - Zipper Down
- Written by Marky Edison
Zipper Down is the fourth album from Eagles Of Death Metal. Primarily consisting of Jesse Hughes on guitar and vocals, and Queens Of The Stone Age's Josh Homme on drums, the band initially came to our attention because of their drummer but have managed to carve out their own career with their fun and sleazy rock 'n' roll shtick.
It's their first record in seven years. Bassist Brian O'Connor underwent chemotherapy in 2010 and Hughes released a solo album under the nom de plume Boots Electric. Three of those solo tracks have been re-recorded for Zipper Down and there have been grumbles from some quarters that the album is only 11 songs, three of which are songs that previously appeared on Honkey Kong and one is a Duran Duran cover. I can't say I have any objection to this practice. One third of the album is tried and tested material, and that's on top of six brand new tracks. That kind of quality control is to be welcomed in this day and age when many bands are releasing 70 minute albums full of sprawling filler. In the days of vinyl records, albums were limited timewise by the physical constraints of 12 inch records that could only hold 40 minutes of music. If more bands would practice the restricted song selection on show here, then albums might make a comeback over individual song downloads.
Back to the business at hand, Eagles Of Death Metal have been effusive in praise of their own work, claiming that it will "end global warming" and "cure world hunger". Such tongue in cheek hyperbole aside, Zipper Down is an enjoyable listen from start to finish. That in itself puts it far ahead of much of the competition. This is light, fun, danceable music with a great beat.
First single, 'Complexity', kicks off the record in style and, hearing EoDM after all this time, is like putting on your best and most comfortable dancing shoes. This is good time rock n roll, complete with the horn section. 'Silverlake (K.S.O.F.M.)' takes the old celebrity put down, "Don't you know who I am?", and plays with it, ending in a refrain of "I don't know who I am".
'I Love You All The Time' originally appeared on Hughes' solo album under the title 'I Love You All The Thyme', and is well worth the new recording. With the full band behind him, Hughes elevates this simple tune to a bonafide highlight. It's a plain old rock 'n' roll number of the sort that has been reworked by Meghan Trainor and Olly Murs to commercial success and Hughes breathy vocal lends it real drive and authenticity.
The album breezes by in just 34 minutes and it's difficult not to simply press play again at the end. The sum total of Zipper Down may not quite reach the peaks of Peace. Love. Death Metal., but few bands ever match such tremendous debuts. This will satisfy new fans and old alike. Eagles of Death Metal may not change the world, but they can certainly make your day.