THE ZEST OF YORE: Admit That It's Christmas (You've Got To)

The Zest of Yore

Admit That It's Christmas (You've Got To)

© 2003 ZOY Music (634479668524) (format: CD-R)

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Indie-pop/rock fans have a new holiday classic with The Zest of Yore's "Admit That It's Christmas." Hailed for clever lyrics and a sense of humor, critics have compared ZOY to Guided by Voices, the Posies, Elliott Smith and Wilco.

notes

With catchy tunes infused with rock energy, The Zest of Yore puts intelligent songwriting at the forefront of their infectious pop music. This Texas band has built a loyal following with their unabashed, high-energy rock shows at venues in the Dallas area. The entire nation can explore the zesty musical world that Texas fans have been raving about as the trio unleashes their debut EP Admit That It's Christmas (You've Got To).

Stephen Pierce (songwriter, singer, guitar), John McCane (songwriter, singer, bass), Dan Dockrill (guitar) and Jon Hussey (drums) are on a mission to craft pop music that's memorable but not manufactured. Their unique sound is derived from an attention to detail - including a drummer who inflicts a jazz style on rock - a keen sense of humor and original songs that combine intelligent lyrics with music that's full of surprises.

reviews

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  • You've got to buy!
    author: Sean Kobayashi

    I'm blown away by their talent. Here's the most beautiful Christmas song. So you've got to buy now!

  • mellow but good
    author: Dallas Music Guide

    Each song sounds effortless as well as brief and wastes no time getting to the chorus or riff then moves onto the next song. This disc hints at two possible directions ZOY can go in: acoustic, McCartney with the Beatles type songs or rocking numbers that are reminiscent of Kings of Leon style southern rawk (maybe I should just say Allmans and Skynyrd) My hope is they go the rocking way. If you like the Tin Pan Alley stuff McCartney did with the Beatles or his Ram (which has some cool stuff on it) solo record, this disc is for you.

  • Clever, lyrical, Pop-genius
    author: Scott Headstream

    Smart, sophisticated songwriting, clever lyrical content, and hooks that go on for days; that's exactly what you'll find on this eight song offering from The Zest of Yore. Not only a great band name, a great band. What other band can sing, "we're planning to die tonight" to a perfectly happy, bouncing arrangement? I can almost hear them grinning. Songs like "The Kid Gloves Come Off" and "A Cultivated Sensibility" are prime examples of ZOY's pop-genius songwriting. Think Ben Folds, Wilco and Elliot Smith, heavy on the sarcasm. In fact, the singer sounds a lot like the late Elliot Smith, right down to the subtle vocal effects.

  • Pleasant tunes with structural trickiness
    author: Splendid Magazine

    ... pleasant and amiable, floating a waddlesome, mid-paced major-chord guitar jangle gleaned from the likes of The Beatles, The Posies, Big Star, Guided By Voices ... There's some neat, Grandaddy-like structural trickiness on the likes of "A Cultivated Sensibility" or "I'll Do The Thinking."

  • I was damned impressed
    author: Shmat Reviews

    I was damned impressed with this Denton, Texas trio, The Zest of Yore. By all accounts, it promised to be campy. The cover of Admit That It's Christmas (You've Got To) features Saint Nick all dressed up in a getup like Voltron. So I thought, must be some silly stuff. Instead, we get extremely strong songs reminisicient of either the Posies, Track Star, or Masters of the Hemisphere. As a pop trio, the group is really great at writing a tuneful track. Just the kind I like, weird enough to rise above standard pop on the radio, but accessible enough in chord structure to please a wider palette of fans. That first song "The Kid Gloves Come Off" has strange chord changes which sometimes remind me of Elliott Smith's old band Heatmiser. Fans of more punky stuff like the White Stripes and The Thermals which dominates college radio today may think the band is a little too understated or mellow. Not me. Great songs have a way of transcending a need for angst or unnecessary firepower, and this CD is a perfect example. "A Cultivated Sensibility" comes in under the two minute mark but is no less compelling. One of my favorite songs was "Already Lost". I really hear Ken Stringfellow in the tracks like this one. That innate pop sensibility is evident in the two songwriters, Stephen Pierce and John McCane. Like all great songwriting teams from the Beatles forward they've got what it takes to craft songs that are smart and arresting yet easily assimilated And to help along with this, John Hussey is no slouch in keeping things interesting on drums either. The bio says that he "inflicts a jazz style on rock" and it's not so hard to believe that statement. In a word, the drums are strangely tasteful for these more straightforward songs, they have a good awareness to them that's often lacking in trios like this. The title track closer "Admit That It's Christmas (You've Got To)" proves to be a tender little ballad that I wouldn't hesitate putting on a holiday indiepop compilation for a friend. I have heard some great things about the Denton scene (courtesy of our recent transplant friends from Shiny Around The Edges) and this CD just confirmed that. I wouldn't mind catching Zest of Yore at a live show if they do tour... great stuff.

  • Expect great things
    author: Joseph K.

    Their latest EP, Admit That It's Christmas, is a too-brief ass-kick of atmospheric pop and indie-rock. Sometimes they remind me of GBV, sometimes Grandaddy, but mostly they own their own sound. Expect great things from this baby band.

  • Not just smartasses with guitars
    author: Michael Toland

    With a name and album title like these, you'd expect the Zest of Yore to be a bunch of smartasses with guitars. Luckily, while the trio definitely has a sense of humor, it never smirks. The sweet-voiced Texans make masterful guitar pop here; short and to-the-point tunes like "I'll Do the Thinking," "Brandish Your Uniform" and "A Broadcast From Station Supreme" undulate with hooks, wit and heart.

  • author: Fort Worth Weekly

    Rockish pop, sounding kinda like either the Beatles if John and Paul had been mildly depressive ... or a more self-consciously significant version of Death Cab for Cutie.

  • light-hearted EP with catchy, non-offensive pop songs
    author: Lost At Sea Magazine

    A fun EP with the consistency and conviction to appeal to a wider audience outside of the typical Texas teenagers looking for a soundtrack to wash their Ford pick up trucks to. ... It is clear that the band knows their instruments and they’ve obviously discovered a song writing formula that has the potential to appeal to a large number of listeners.

  • It's Awesome
    author: Maria

    Zest of Yore is unique and cool sound that I have really enjoyed listening too.

  • silly name, great music
    author: Mundane Sounds

    What's in a name? The Zest of Yore is a silly name, but that doesn't mean that their music is silly. This Denton, Texas trio has a wonderfully spaced-out sound, one that reminds me a great deal of Grandaddy, Mercury Rev or Sparklehorse, but they've got a much poppier, upbeat sound. Well, sort of. Stephen Pierce has a very sweet, lulling vocal style, making it easy to miss the seriousness of their lyrics. A great example of this is the brief but deep "Already Lost."

  • A masterslice...
    author: Indie Gurrrrl

    This CD is quite a departure from Steven and John's Piletones work....but that might be for the best. I think it rules. The songs are energetic snd thoughtful, the music is quality and more, the recording style is gritty and very Guided by Voices...I bought two copies, one for me, and one for my monkey

  • 8 BUCKS!! I'd Pay A Billion For this Masterpiece!!!
    author: Woozwise Gamgee

    I've been lucky enough to follow this band since their days as the "Piletones" After a minor personal change, John and Steven came back zestier than ever with all guns blazing and a Zoy-BOT spouting infectious melodic joy for all to hearw. This may not be the best CD ever made, but it is arguabley one of the best first albums that any band has created. I can only hope that the Zest continue their recent streak of good luck and can rise to the top of the weakened music industry that is just waiting to be saved by the likes of John McCain and Steven Pierce...the greatest musical duo since John & Paul. The album itself is a masteful weaving of artful songwriting and funky beats that make you tap your feat and want to get funky like Prince before he became a symbol. Check these guys out, Buy this CD, you will NOT be dissapointed!!

  • ZOY makes the most anti-choice granny's panties moist.
    author: foolkilla

    The Zest Of Yore is the kind of band that makes living in Texas worthwhile. They tickle my fancy. If you have yet to purchase their debut EP, then you are fools of the highest caliber. Yes, even you. Don't you realize that ZOY delivers the subtle, smart, brutally great pop music for which you've been aching these long years? You don't? Then listen!!!!

  • This CD is awesome! It's original, fun, and I can't get enough of it!
    author: Cayce Budnek

    I stongly recommend everyone to get this CD! It's so unique and fun. It's rock n' roll with a burst of zesty flavor. I've listened to it many times and I'm still having so much fun with it. It never gets old and it's such a refreshing change from the humdrum music on the radio. Go get it now!

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