Music
Press
It is incredibly easy to like the music The Zinedines create. Laid back melodies, nice harmonies, jangly guitars – a pleasant listen from start to finish, with no obtuse metal machine music daring your eardrums to explode. Wearing their influences on their sleeve, the Spanish quartet successfully foray into the world of power-pop music, with a psychedelic twist to push them in a slightly different direction than contemporaries The Shins or The New Pornographers. Channelling ‘Sgt. Pepper’s’ era Beatles through sitar soaked songs like ‘Diggin’ Everything’ and ‘Mantra Two’, The Zinedines take listeners of ‘Take Me Take Me’ back a few decades, but at the same time pay homage to their own time through their explicit love of effects pedals and trippy vocal manipulation. To top it off, lead singer Manel Martinez’s potent accent shines through, allowing him to pull of lyrics like “She gave me the moon/It was shining like a silver spoon” in such a loveable way that no one is the wiser.
Writer: Jaclyn Arndt
- SOULSHINE Rating: ****
This fun little album must be approached with an open mind. Spain's Zinedines sing in English, and sound even more British than the long list of Britpop bands they resemble (e.g., Teenage Fanclub, and the obvious Who and Beatles). The ZDs switch things up a bit with some psychedelic flourishes and go pretty heavy on the sitar in spots, making you wonder if this is just Kula Shaker trying to make a comeback by dressing up as a bunch of Spaniards. Songs like Garage Flying Saucers Stoning-about gazing at the sky, seeing monkeys all around, and the need to "become one" with them-are guaranteed to get you smiling. Also crazy are the totally different track listings on the inside and outside of the album, impossible to figure out. And finally Kula Shaker materializes once again on the last track, Mantra Two (no, there is no Mantra One), which you soon realize is just a version of one of the earlier, sitar-heavy tracks, Diggin' Everything-but with even more sitar!
*** stars
September 16th, 2004 - HOUR
After hearing the first notes of Take Me Take Me, you’ll immediately wonder if you accidentally bought something from a used ‘60s record bin. The Zinedines, a psychedelic power-pop band from Majorca, Spain, obviously spent copious amounts of time listening to Doors and Pink Floyd records. The first five songs really cook, with soaring harmonies and a shake-in-your-fringed-vest beat, but the novelty begins to wear thin by the second half of the record. It’s excellent and well-executed ear candy, nonetheless. Take Me Take Me’s highlights include the disc’s title track and the group’s cute Spanish accents.
Shannon Whibbs
- Chartattack
Discography
TAKE ME, TAKE ME (2004)
Photos
Bio
With the name as it is, the soccer analogy is inevitable. The Zinedines handle their musical sounds like the world famous footballer handles the ball, they caress it, dangle it in front of you, spin it around you, and before you know it, its launch into space to the delight their fans.
The Zinedines story began in 1998 in Wall (Majorca), brothers Manel and Miquel Martínez, dedicated fans of psychedelic rock music, referencing early Floyd, Hendrix and the Beatles, were the founding members. Their 1999 debut, IM GONNA RISE, included a version of Floyds 1967 masterpiece, Astronomy Domine. The release brought about their first acclaim as a band to watch in Spains prolific and vibrant power pop and psychedelic rock scene, a scene that boasts many Rainbow Quartz acts; Sidonie, Gallygows, the Gurus and the Winnerys to name check a few.
It wouldnt be until the 2002 release of their second long player, DIGGIN EVERYTHING that the Zinedines received the success and recognition they deserved. The recording blended rich melodies, strings and epic choruses. It was during the recording of DIGGIN EVERYTHING that the band took a new shape, Marti Vallespir came in on drums, and Juanjo Tomas enters on Bass, lending some vocal tracks.
In 2004, and with the new line up in place, the Zinedines are ready to handle any pass. With their release of TAKE ME TAKE ME, the Zinedines run circles in your head, with their gorgeous harmonies, sitar, psychedelic drums and power pop riffs. Their sound blends elements of Teenage Fanclub, Cotton Mather, Olivia Tremor Control and the Las, on opening tracks Twice Upon a Time and title track Take Me Take Me. But with all these influences The Zinedines keep the sound their own.
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