Mystic Records – 13 Sep 2024
Twelve blisteringly fun power/pop-punk tracks to put a smile on your face.
Shiiiissshhh. The doors open. Our bodies mindlessly bump together as we shuffle out onto the train platform. A powerful wind gust sucks the air from my lungs as I make my way to the sidewalk and eventually work. The sun won’t be up for an hour, I yearn for the carefree days of just a few months back. Summer. If you find yourself hearkening back to sunlight, longer days, beer, brats, and warmth; then you should give Space Age Zeros’ Strange New World a spin. “Fireworks,” the opening track, will get you daydreaming about the fourth of July with the bumpy tempo and tasty beats. “Merry Go Round” takes things to the playground, which is soon to be covered in snow and dead leaves.
Quick disclaimer, the band features TGEFM contributor Jason Baygood. I also need to interrupt this review for a public service announcement. I don’t really pay attention to how people from Phoenix or New York talk about their residence there. Like if they say, “I’m from New York,” or “I’m from The Bronx.”
But if you are from Chicago, a suburb, Gary IN, Wisconsin, you say you’re from Chicago. Space Age Zeros are from Chicago. They’re a Chicago Punk Band. You can hear their connection to the Chicago scene throughout this record. The Ooohs in “No More Heroes” sound exactly like Naked Raygun. I have to say, the production on this record sparkles and at first the typical Chicago garage-y dustiness gets windexed off. I like the gloss, it allows the Space Age Zeros to really show their pop craft. “Jet Lagged” and “Smile” give you a taste of both sides. The former gives you the basement vibe, while the latter sparkles like fresh Midwest snow (before it turns brown from car exhaust).
When I first got into punk rock, I liked the irreverence. Finding humor in things that shouldn’t be funny (Dead Milkmen, The Dickies, Descendents). All of those bands have done a punk cover at some point. I think The Dickies have more covers than originals. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes only do covers. You get the idea. Some of my faves back in the day: “Paranoid,” “Eve of Destruction” by The Dickies; “Different Drum” by the Lemonheads; and “California Sun” by the Ramones. I’m going to have to throw a new song into my favorite covers list, Space Age Zeros rendition of America‘s 1975 tune “Sister Golden Hair.”. I can’t believe no one else has done this one. Kudos to SAZ for dusting off a classic and putting their spin on it.
I’m a bit torn, because I wish I had been listening to Strange New World by Space Age Zeros a few months ago, it’s the perfect summer soundtrack. Instead, it’s going to have to get me through a long, cold, bleak Chicago winter.
The Space Age Zeros Bandcamp has the album on CD, vinyl, and digital download. You can also hear their previous music over at Spotify.
