Zen Guerrilla
Trance States In Tongues
(1999) Sub Pop

Every year or so a band comes along that is so damned good it makes me wish I was in that band. It used to be NoMeansNo I wanted to be in. Then it was Alice Donut. There've been other bands (some NOT on the Alternative Tentacles label)... but at present it is Zen Guerrilla that rocks as I've always wanted to rock: in a group mind meld where everyone's on the same page... the same plane... where the instruments and their players are all working together perfectly to create a momentary vortex that would never have existed had these particular individuals not taken the time to synchronize their sound and vision.

Trance States In Tongues is pure testosterone drenched thrash blues punk. I could (and will) sit here and try to describe this music using mere words but suffice to say, you absotootly must experience this band for yourself. Live is best, of course, but their discs, particularly this one, will not disappoint you. Now, I'm the biggest fan of all things Tentacles but, quality-wise, switching over to the Sub Pop label has given ZG their best sounding release to date. This is thanks in no small part to legendary producer-of-the-grunge, Jack Endino who flicked the switches and tweaked the knobs for this disc.

My favorite track on TSIT is "Ghetto City Version" a straight-forward fuzzy blues rocker with solos and wails of desperation. ZG does wonderful things with Bowie's "Moonage Daydream," all the while maintaining its emotional vibe. "Magpie" is slow enough to ask your prom date to dance to and throbs like slow dance music of old (if it wasn't such a short tune, the loins of teenagers from coast to coast would find "Magpie" irresistible and flock to the dance floor upon hearing its opening chords). Other standouts: "Pins and Needles" the frantic opening track; "Mod Riot" which wreaks like the sidestream smoke infested club where Zen Guerrilla first kicked my ass; and the down 'n dirty "Peppermint" which forces bootys to shake.

–Mattro

Other Zen Guerrilla stuff...
Zen Guerrilla Discography

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