Denver has never been short of fantastic punk rock bands (anyone remember The Fluid?), and newcomers Zephr (not to be confused with the ’70s rockers Zephyr, who were from Boulder) certainly throw their hat in the ring as one of the best in the punk scene with this exceptional debut album.
After the brief ambient noise of “A Pocketbook Of Saints,” “Rosewood (Love, Pain, Joy And Rage)” follows with a swirling, noisy yet melodic sort of ragged punk rock that bands like Small Brown Bike thrived on, as tuneful vocals are met with raw, screechy yelping.
The album only gets better from here with the fiery rhythm section of the angular “Two Philosophers,” while “So It Goes” bounces and buzzes with some power-pop tendencies amid a fierce punk energy. Side A exits on a very high note, with the clever bass lines, throaty vocals, and melodic backbone of “Casey.”
Side B starts strong with the sing-along quality of the versatile “STE” and continues to the initially calm “Demons” that builds into a cathartic, heartfelt rocker. One of the album’s best (though there isn’t a dud to be found here) is “Please Send Help,” which shifts from ’90s influenced alt-rock to grittier moments of post-hardcore nods. “Porch Beers” exits the listen and it’s a memorable finish; driving guitars are complemented with dual singing where tunefulness and abrasiveness meet somewhere in the middle amid an anthemic feel.
If bands like Polar Bear Club, Planes Mistaken For Stars, Hot Water Music, or even Texas Is The Reason struck a chord with you, and you enjoy equal parts gruffness and melody, intimacy, and intensity, Zephr deserves to occupy a spot on your turntable. And if you don’t own a turntable, that’s alright, too, because the colorful piece of wax comes with a download code.
