zebra of the family cd review

the big takeover

by terry banks
spring/summer, 2003 (issue #52)

No, it's not the long-rumored fourth TCS album, but it is an exhaustive trawl through this great Scottish band's outtakes cupboard. Housed within this two-disc, 41-track set are alternate versions of just about every song on Cake, I've Seen Everything and A Happy Pocket -- some, save a vocal inflection here or guitar squiggle there, are virtually identical to the released versions. However, Zebra is most interesting when it takes the path less traveled, in the form of reinterpretation: "The Best Man's Fall" as a rockabilly romp? Sure. "The Genius I Was" as punky power pop? Why not. "I've Seen Everything" as a demented soundscape? Happy to oblige. Perhaps most notably, normally taciturn TCS guitarist Paul Livingston appears as lead vocalist (and, thus, presumed author) on demo versions of such faves as "Easy Read" and "I'm The One Who Fainted." If you've ever connected with the Trashcans' melodic poeticism, and are interested in peeling back the onion on their recorded output, you need this. Completists will be intrigued by the inclusion of five never-heard-before songs.

Originally appeared in The Big Takeover.