Zebrahead – ‘The Early Years Revisited’

From their place on teen comedy film soundtracks to their gigs and festival appearances, Zebrahead have always been the quintessential party band, concerned with little more than getting as many people to have as much fun as possible. Their rap/rock stylings may not be the most popular genre these days, but as co-vocalist Ali notes, the fact that “the kids are getting younger and younger every time we tour” shows it’s still got an enduring appeal.

‘The Early Years Revisited’ is eleven of their most popular older tracks re-recorded with current vocalist Matty Lewis. If you’ve followed the band since the start then you’ll be familiar with all but two of the songs, as Zebrahead have added a brand new song in the form of ‘Devil On My Shoulder’, as well as ‘Sex, Lies And Audiotape’ that didn’t make it on to their latest album, 2013’s ‘Call Your Friends’.

The meat of the album is the re-recorded songs but they feel like a bit of an empty gesture. Matty’s vocals aren’t wildly different to those of founding member and original lead singer Justin Mauriello, and seeing as Justin left the band in 2004, only the really early songs actually warranted a re-recording. With the tracks presented chronologically, it might not be until the instantly recognisable ‘Playmate Of The Year’ that the newer or more casual fan starts to really enjoy the album. From there on, the likes of ‘Wasted’, ‘Rescue Me’, and ‘Falling Apart’ are the highlights. Not only are they some of the best songs Zebrahead have written but they do a good job of showing how Zebrahead have progressed and incorporated different genres into their style.

Of the new and newish efforts, ‘Devil On My Shoulder’ follows the established formula, with Matty and Ali sharing vocals over the top of some solid pop-punk chords. It’s nothing too different but the blistering guitar solo helps it stand out. ‘Sex, Lies And Audiotape’ sounds uncannily like American Idiot era Green Day but with added rapping and it’s a shame that it was cut from ‘Call Your Friends’ as it’s pretty much pure Zebrahead.

A greatest hits of sorts, the songs are as fun as ever, but waiting this long to re-record and release them is puzzling. The inclusion of ‘Sex, Lies And Audiotape’ will keep completists happy, whereas ‘Devil On My Shoulder’ will be welcomed by those wanting to hear new material, but the slightly confused feeling behind it all means that ‘The Early Years Revisited’ is a hard one to fully appreciate or enjoy.

CHRIS HILSON