No Time To Lose
Strolling Bones, 2023
10/10
On their first album of new music in over 20 years, the New Hampshire 6 piece Say Zuzu (Cliff Murphy, brothers Jon and James Nolan, Steve Ruhm, Tim Nylander, and Jon Pistey) bring folk, rock, alternative and country to very mature, insightful and harmonic song craft that’s more modern than their exceptional work in the ‘90s.
“Waking Up” gets the album off to a warm start, where punchy drums and the swirling guitars welcome much breezy, rootsy songwriting, and “Big Horizon” follows with gentle acoustic guitar and poetic singing that embraces folk-rock ideas into their very sophisticated version of Americana.
“Look Whatcha Done” lands in the middle, and emits some grit amid the thicker textures that flirt with alt-country, while “As Much Love” is full of lush, pretty songwriting that benefits from harmony vocals, a powerful rhythm section and spirited guitar work.
Nearing the end, the intimacy of “This Fire Won’t Burn” carries a bit or ruggedness that spotlights James Nolan’s chunky bass, and “Take Me With You When You Go” exits with well timed pedal steel to complement the vivid storytelling.
Surprisingly, Say Zuzu saw most of their commercial success in Europe from their inception until the mid 2000’s. Now older, wiser and still with so much talent intact, this might be the best Americana album of 2023, no matter where you’re located on the globe.
Travels well with: Davis Causey- New Things From Old Strings; Haunted Shed- Faltering Light