Album Review: "Til The Casket Drops" by ZZ Ward

This album arrived to the Amazon recommendations list and it looked like something that might be enjoyable. With my personal swerve towards blues and blues rock, this seemed like it would be a good purchase.

This is the full length debut of ZZ Ward. She has been working steadily in the underworld of music seeking a break. The 26 year old Ward started playing in bands at the age of 12.

This is a very talented woman in many ways. Her lyrics are phenomenal and she plays the guitar, harmonica, piano, and more. She is certainly the kind of musician that my wife would just absolutely love, which is why I suppose that I do not.

This album, while bluesy, is far too dependent on pop music dynamics for me to really appreciate it as an album.

From the moment the opening/title track starts there is a vibe to this album. It's serious. It's a bit dark. It's heavy, but it's all centered around a vocal line and a drum beat. When music is constructed and arranged in this fashion, it just goes outside of my personal net and I don't find it enjoyable.

There were no musical breaks. There were no interludes. At least 75% of this album is ZZ singing over the drum beat with backing music.

This album is very well constructed and written. Many times during my spin of this disc I was really enjoying a moment, but as an album it falls flat for me. Pop music, no matter how well crafted isn't my cup of tea. It's not like this album will be deleted out of my iTunes or anything like that, but the actual CD will never get another spin from me. For a song or two, this music is very enjoyable, but not for a 45 minute album.

If you enjoy pop music, this is a great album. If you're looking for pop music with a twist, this is an even better album.

Genre: Pop
Year: 2012
Run time: 44:50

Track listing:

1) Till The Casket Drops
2) Put The Gun Down
3) Blue Eyes Blind
4) Home
5) Cryin' Wolf (Featuring Kendrick Lamar)
6) Save My Life
7) Last Love Song
8) Lil Darlin (Featuring O'Mys)
9) Move Like U Stole It
10) Criminal Song (Featuring Freddie Gibbs)
11) If I Could Be Her
12) Charlie Ain't Home
13) 365 Days