The Human Zoo – The Human Zoo (1970) review
The Human Zoo “The Human Zoo” (Cicadelic Records, 1970/2010)
Hailing from Westminster, California, located in Southern
California’s Orange County, the Human Zoo included vocalists Jim Cunningham and
Roy Young, guitarist John Luzadder, guitarist and keyboardist Larry Hanson,
bassist Bob Dalrymple, and drummer Kim Vydaremy. Initially coined the Circus,
the band didn’t hang around the scene too long, leaving behind only one album
that came out in 1970 on the Accent label. Pressed in scant quantities, the
disc obviously received little attention and quickly slid into a wormhole, so
this reissue is much appreciated.
California’s Orange County, the Human Zoo included vocalists Jim Cunningham and
Roy Young, guitarist John Luzadder, guitarist and keyboardist Larry Hanson,
bassist Bob Dalrymple, and drummer Kim Vydaremy. Initially coined the Circus,
the band didn’t hang around the scene too long, leaving behind only one album
that came out in 1970 on the Accent label. Pressed in scant quantities, the
disc obviously received little attention and quickly slid into a wormhole, so
this reissue is much appreciated.
Parked in a musical zone owing a nudge and a wink to Vanilla
Fudge, Jimi Hendrix, and Iron Butterfly, the Human Zoo perused and embodied the
acid rock sounds of the day with insight and intent. Bold and booming guitars
interact with crunchy keyboards and potent drum fills, while the soul-informed
vocals and harmonies occasionally echo those of the heavier side of Crazy
Elephant or Pacific, Gas, and Electric. “Funny,” which concludes to a
fiery jam, is perhaps the most imaginative and intense track on the album,
followed closely by “The Human Zoo,” that squeals and shimmers to a
hypnotically repetitious rhythm. “It’s Got To Be” and “Help
Me” contain enough memorable melodies to keep things lively. A lonely and
brooding psychedelic ambience blankets “I Don’t Care No More,” and
“Gonna Take Me For A Ride” is strewn with stabbing jazzy horns. Basic
hard rock structures costume “Late For My Resurrection” and
“Stone Sassy Fox,” and a sense of humor is clearly applied on the
corny hillbilly twang of “When Papa Started Drinking.” By no means
revolutionary, “The Human Zoo” is still a fine and fascinating
collection of songs. Good ideas and stirring chops made the band a cut above
average, and it would have been interesting to hear what their next move would
have been.
Fudge, Jimi Hendrix, and Iron Butterfly, the Human Zoo perused and embodied the
acid rock sounds of the day with insight and intent. Bold and booming guitars
interact with crunchy keyboards and potent drum fills, while the soul-informed
vocals and harmonies occasionally echo those of the heavier side of Crazy
Elephant or Pacific, Gas, and Electric. “Funny,” which concludes to a
fiery jam, is perhaps the most imaginative and intense track on the album,
followed closely by “The Human Zoo,” that squeals and shimmers to a
hypnotically repetitious rhythm. “It’s Got To Be” and “Help
Me” contain enough memorable melodies to keep things lively. A lonely and
brooding psychedelic ambience blankets “I Don’t Care No More,” and
“Gonna Take Me For A Ride” is strewn with stabbing jazzy horns. Basic
hard rock structures costume “Late For My Resurrection” and
“Stone Sassy Fox,” and a sense of humor is clearly applied on the
corny hillbilly twang of “When Papa Started Drinking.” By no means
revolutionary, “The Human Zoo” is still a fine and fascinating
collection of songs. Good ideas and stirring chops made the band a cut above
average, and it would have been interesting to hear what their next move would
have been.
Review made by Beverly Paterson/2014
© Copyright http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2014
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