Joy Zipper - American Whip

I first heard about Joy Zipper during my interview with Jonny from Snow Patrol (this record came out nearly a year ago in the UK). So when American Whip came up for review here, I said, “Sure, I’d like to check that one out.” What I found was an atmospheric, almost psychedelic record, which, at its best, combines the sweetness of Air with the thoughtfulness of Pet Sounds-era Brian Wilson. Unfortunately, Joy Zipper just doesn’t consistently hit their stride. Most of my problems come with Side A. (The disc is divided up into Side A and Side B) Side A of American Whip is just too much...too much saccharine. It’s trippy and melodic music that is quite lovely but with sticky sweet vocals and oozing lyrics, practically dripping with sugary sentiment. “Christmas Song” opens the album and Side A and makes it clear that this is a delicate love-song-soaked record, declaring, “I love you more than a thousand Christmases.” Well then, that’s pretty impressive for standards of love, eh? Although I have come to tolerate this “side” and even to enjoy it when in the right frame of mind, it’s still not the more impressive of the two. Then there’s Side B. From the 24-second repeat of “Drugs – turn me onto drugs / Get me into drugs” that opens it, the delineation between the two sides American Whip is amazingly concrete. I will readily admit to raising my eyebrows in pleased surprise the first time I heard “Dosed and Became Invisible.” Without a doubt, this is my favorite song on the disc (standing alone, it earns a 5.0). Vincent Cafiso’s breathy vocals taking the lead were a welcome relief after a little too much girly simpering from Tabitha Tindale, who led most of Side A. When they are blended together, however, the combination is really nice and ethereal. I think this is where Tabitha’s vocals really enhance the sound of the record. Scattered throughout, there are tiny snippets of songs or noises on the record that seem terribly incongruous no matter how intriguing they might be. You only get the smallest of tastes and are left scratching your head a little wondering why they’re there. Overall, I think American Whip is a pleasant enough record, and I find myself popping it in the player a lot more than I orginally thought I would. There is an abundance of beauty in the music and the lyrics, and no one can argue with the quality of production. But it still a little falls short of where I think the Long Island duo could go if they just stuck to what works throughout. [www.joyzipper.tv]