Wasp's Buzz on White Elephant Sessions
from wasp (jocjock@yahoo.com)

OK, I wasn't expecting to like this CD as much as I do, but to quote Molly Shannon, "I luv it! I luv it! I LUUUUUUV it!" OK, I exaggerate a whole lot of a bit, and I remind everyone of a very annoying SNL skit. My apologies. Excuse me while I kick it with a brief song-by-song analysis:

Unforgetful You (remix)

Same basic tune and vocals as the record version, but it sounds like it has been thrown into the hands of DJ Shadow or some equally kool hip-hop producer (no, I'm not a hip-hop fan, but DJ Shadow is pretty tight). I think I like it better than the album version, but that might be just because it sounds fresh.

Crazy Times (demo)

Not as crisp as the record version, but an interesting listen, nonetheless. The guitar solo is an improvement over the record version. The song rocks as much as ever, even more, but the extra production on Much Afraid helped give it a more focused sound.

Goodbye, Goodnight (demo)

This really has nothing to make it preferable listening over the record version. Pretty much the same song through and through with less gloss.

River Constantine (partial demo)

If anyone is reading this, then you may be surprised to know that I like this partial demo better than the full version. What?! It's not even a full song!! Yeah, but I think the full song rambles along longer then it needs to. Also, the chorus in the record version sounded somewhat forced to me, and I find the instrumental substitutes in this demo far more effective in striking emotional chords. Don't get me wrong, I like Zoo's River Constantine, but I REALLY like this one.

Grace (demo)

This is the Grace I heard in concert. This is the Grace I loved. It's not so much the difference between the original and Zoo choruses, but rather the overall more energetic sound which makes it appealing to me. The brief drum intro borders on punky, and Stephen Mason's dischordant guitar piece is much appreciated.

Headstrong (demo)

Very mellow, very melodic, very James Taylorish, very kool. The kind of song which may induce one to snuggle up with a good cappucino. Speaking of which...

Coffee Song

Just like actual coffee, you CAN have too much of a good thing! ;-) It would have been nice if this had been replaced with the original Famous Last Words or a Fade to Grey remix or something of that nature.

Can't Erase It (Tweed Horse Sessions)

Zoo's Can't Erase It is great. This version is better-- in my opinion. It doesn't have any of the awkward off-kilterness that plagued the record version's verses, and it just has more energy. The electric guitar whine through the last chorus is priceless.

Kaylos (jingle)

Um, Kaylos is the hippest, most thumpin' commercial jingle ever created. A slick work of aural genius. Seriously.

The New Math (Tweed Horse Sessions)

Way better than actually doing math. Um, this song is just darn good. It has a solid tune, but most of all the sound is very creative, integrating almost eerie keyboards with vocal samples and other such neato gimmickry. This is my favorite of the new songs on here and is actually one of the best cuts on the CD in my opinion.

Fly Farther

This is a very nice, sweet, and "sappy country song." Great instrumentation, soft and emotional vocals by Danny boy, lyrics all about the love of a lifetime...how could the girls not go gaga over this? I myself don't really go for the third-person storytelling approach in the verses and the music itself didn't pluck my heart-strings, but I fully understand why most of you love it. I myself just think it's the perfect song to play to any prospective girlfriends (which I'm afraid will be a one in a million occurence for me ;-).

Collide (Tweed Horse Sessions)

This version rockS!!! I mean ROCKS!
After hearing all this, I think I might have been infatuated with If I Left the Zoo for many moons if they had just stayed closer to the earnestness of these rough cuts. The record version of Collide is flashy with lots of deft production touches, but there was so much wax on the car that the rocker beneath got buried. Here we can actually hear the tiger do a little roaring, and it's very kool. The guitars, drums, and bass all hit much harder, thanks to more amp and less reverb. I am so very, very glad I got to hear this version.

Frail

Same as the original instrumental, so that's a small disappointment.

I just have to give a full-grown elephantal thanks to Jars of Clay and the fan club for allowing us to hear all these awesome cuts...and for FREE, much less!!

Most of the Zoo demos are way tighter in raw meat form because the bass and drums are so much more solid, whereas they almost plodded along in certain portions of the finished album. I hope that Jars decide to leave in a bit more of their creative edge on a4...if they do and if these Zoo demos are any indication, the next album could be more awesome than, well...than, well...well, more awesome than the most awesome metaphor I could think up!! ;-)

3 stars out of 5
(3.5 is the highest I would give an album that wasn't predominantly comprised of new material)

*wasp smiles gleefuly as WES continues to spin in his CD player...*