AUTHORITY
ZERO
A PASSAGE IN TIME
LAVA
LINKS:
authorityzero.com
authorityzero.com
Authority Zero may hail from Mesa, Arizona,
but their sound is purely California. Playing a fast-paced punk
with a sweet edge tempered by a ska influence, AZ's music is the natural
derivative of bands like Pennywise, Bad Religion, Op. Ivy, 311, Sublime
and The Urge.
Much
of A Passage In Time fits within the same basic sound, but it
is hard to tell if that is due to the band, or to the production of Dave
Jerden (The Offspring, Alice in Chains, Jane’s Addiction, Anthrax,
Social Distortion).
There are a few exceptions, including the first single, "One More Minute", which clocks in at an epic six-and-a-half minutes. The track was the perfect choice to be released as it highlights the band's highlights. Singer Jason DeVore shows off his entire vocal range while guitarist Bill Marcks strums, solos and picks a fun line. Jeremy Wood's bass skills are showcased rather than buried beneath Marcks and drummer Jim Wilcox keeps the whole party going with low key but solid work on the skins.
Several songs directly reflect the band's influences -- "Some People" is purely Pennywise, while "Mesa Town" is Bad Religion reincarnate. It isn't that that is a bad thing, but these four individuals seem to have an awful lot of talent to be playing, essentially, other people's music.
Taken for what it is, A Passage In Time doesn't break into any new territory, it just takes you for a fun ride through the West Coast's sun and surf.
There are a few exceptions, including the first single, "One More Minute", which clocks in at an epic six-and-a-half minutes. The track was the perfect choice to be released as it highlights the band's highlights. Singer Jason DeVore shows off his entire vocal range while guitarist Bill Marcks strums, solos and picks a fun line. Jeremy Wood's bass skills are showcased rather than buried beneath Marcks and drummer Jim Wilcox keeps the whole party going with low key but solid work on the skins.
Several songs directly reflect the band's influences -- "Some People" is purely Pennywise, while "Mesa Town" is Bad Religion reincarnate. It isn't that that is a bad thing, but these four individuals seem to have an awful lot of talent to be playing, essentially, other people's music.
Taken for what it is, A Passage In Time doesn't break into any new territory, it just takes you for a fun ride through the West Coast's sun and surf.
----Scott Olivenbaum