The Zutons - You Can Do Anything
In an age where bands with misplaced exclamation points (The Go! Team, !!!, etc.) rule the indie scene, it takes real courage and willpower to withhold from recklessly throwing !’s everywhere. I can just imagine how livid Elaine Benes would be at the abundance of Shift+F1’s being used. Yet The Zutons’ third and newest release, You Can Do Anything, is conspicuously missing the many exclamations it deserves!
The Zutons’ sophomore release Tired of Hanging Around continued to showcase the band’s quirky outlook and knack for catchy riffs. You Can Do Anything builds on the progress from THA, as the band has found a way to harness its own creativity and seemingly unlimited originality in a way that makes for an incredibly rockin’ album. What I love most about The Zutons is the self-knowing kitsch–from the album covers to the lyrics to the instrumentation, The Zutons take the music seriously but they don’t puff their own chests.
There really isn’t a theme that ties all these tracks together, except for the optimistic mantra You Can Do Anything. Indeed, The Zutons have proven on their third LP that they can do anything. “Freak” is a comically frightening song about a gigolo - the wordplay is quite entertaining. “Give Me a Reason” is straight out of a Bon Jovi album, complete with choral and electronic wah-wahs. “Don’t Get Caught” and “Put a Little Aside” fair on the slower side, showing the band’s skill for rock ballads. But the real highlights on this album really set it apart from other above-average releases this year. “What’s Your Problem” is a free-wheelin’, feel good, pop-rock song that complements the piano-bopping rock duet “You Could Make the Four Walls Cry” quite nicely. So grab those exclamation points and use them wisely - You Can Do Anything!
So what are you waiting for? Buy You Can Do Anything.
Listen to “You Could make the Four Walls Cry” (4.9/5)
Listen to “What’s Your Problem” (4.8/5)
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