pop*eye...Elizabeth & the Catapult—The Other Side of Zero (2010)

POP*EYE
***


Elizabeth
& the Catapult
The Other Side of Zero (2010)

*I proud to highly
Recommended!*

Elizabeth & The Catapult follow up their charming debut, Taller Children, with a polished and carefully crafted chamber-pop record. Where their first release was perky and carefree, The Other Side of Zero has a current of melancholy running through it. This darker mood brings with it some good lyrics by singer and songwriter Elizabeth Ziman especially on the introspective piano ballads that dominate the album. But there is also enough song variety to keep things from getting too heavy or one-dimensional. Tucked among the melodic tales of heartbreak are breezy counterpoints like “You and Me,” “Julian, Darling” and “Go Away My Lover,” the sultry “Worn Out Tune,” and the whimsical “Dreamcatcher.” Buoyed by lush arrangements and layers of strings, percussion, guitar, and warm sonic touches, The Other Side of Zero makes a lovely, low-key statement.

Elizabeth and the Catapult is an indie pop duo comprised of Elizabeth Ziman and Danny Molad. On the heels of their acclaimed debut, their latest, “The Other Side of Zero”, was recorded with producer Tony Berg (Peter Gabriel, Phantom Planet, Jesca Hoop), and features respected sidemen such as guitarist Blake Mills and Tom Waits’ longtime touring keyboardist, Patrick Warren. As Molad puts it, “The record is more blatantly honest, even rude at times..." Elizabeth continues, "Even the happiest sounding pop songs on this record have a tinge of regret and darkness to them…And thank goodness for that. Ultimately that’s the only way I’d feel comfortable singing them. I’m drawn to the ambiguity like a menacing smile.”

If you like your pop music with a side of intelligence and quirkiness, Elizabeth and the Catapult is the band for you. Ziman and Molad have crafted a very enjoyable sophomore record that is utterly refreshing, yet retains smart melodies throughout that easily imprint on the mind. Ziman’s voice is delicate and unpretentious, not far removed from Colbie Caillat in tone and style. But the band’s music is more like XTC mixed in with Cake. The introductory track, “Julian Darling”, is a bouncy and cheery tune that effortlessly grabs attention. Even better, however, is the second track, “You & Me”, which should resonate with anyone who has felt like they were “dressed like a present that’s no longer wanted.” Heartbreaking yet catchy at the same time, this song is their most accessible and could even be a hit at radio. Additional highlights include the gorgeous piano-driven ballad “Open Book” and “Worn Out Tune”, which features one of the most hauntingly memorable choruses on the record. The experimental pop of “Go Away” is a tad too eclectic and “Heart Goes Boom” (bonus track) is a rather goofy dance track, both of which sound out of place on this otherwise consistently good indie pop record.

All about
Elizabeth
& the Catapult

Elizabeth & the Catapult focus on the songwriting talents of Elizabeth Ziman, whose music makes room for pop, coffeehouse folk, and downtown jazz. An active musician since childhood, Ziman trained as a classical pianist until the age of 16, at which point she shifted attention toward her voice. The budding entertainer then joined Patti Austin on tour in 2002, singing background vocals for the soul...

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Elizabeth & the Catapult focus on the songwriting talents of Elizabeth Ziman, whose music makes room for pop, coffeehouse folk, and downtown jazz. An active musician since childhood, Ziman trained as a classical pianist until the age of 16, at which point she shifted attention toward her voice. The budding entertainer then joined Patti Austin on tour in 2002, singing background vocals for the soul legend for the next 18 months. After returning to New York in 2004, she began piecing together a trio with drummer Danny Molad and guitarist Peter Lalish. Elizabeth & the Catapult released a self-titled EP two years later, having recorded and produced the disc themselves.

After establishing a strong D.I.Y. ethic and attracting attention from (but never signing with) several major labels, the band inked a contract with Verve Records in 2008. Elizabeth & the Catapult then traveled to Nebraska, where they set up shop inside Mike Mogis' Omaha studio. Taking inspiration from the serene surroundings, the band pounded out an album's worth of material at a quick pace and returned to New York shortly thereafter. The resulting record, Taller Children, marked their major-label debut in June 2009. One year later, the group returned with a second album, The Other Side of Zero, whose dark humor was largely inspired by Leonard Cohen's Book of Longing.

http://elizabethandthecatapult.com/
http://www.myspace.com/elizabethandthecatapult
facebook.com/elizabethandthecatapult

'The Sound Of room
for pop childhood.'

-
Elizabeth
& the Catapult
-
"One of my favorite
Pop Artist all times!"

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“syrupy-sweet!”



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