Zev - ​A Conscious Collaboration

Zev

​A Conscious Collaboration
self-released; 2012

3.4 out of 5

By Ted Rogen
​

The artist known as Zev has been making music most of his life. He played the drums from the ages of thirteen to eighteen in two different punk bands It’s a bit ironic that his 2012 release A Conscious Collaboration contains no percussion. In fact the album sticks to multiple guitars. 

​Apparently the album was completely improvised which I have to say makes the album more impressive. He mentions that he makes little mistakes but they are hardly noticeable against intense scrutiny.

The album starts with “Avenue Of Giants” which is indicative of a lot of the other songs on the album. It contains delicate acoustic picking with a lead solo over it. This song is kind of split into two. Around the halfway point you hear what sounds like a mike dropping before music starts up again. This very well could have just been two songs.

“Dry Creek” starts and ends with the same initial rhythm guitar playing which is the foundation of the song. Zev gets in and out fast not dragging the riff on for too long. “Foggy Mountain Killer” definitely has a feel like it could be played in the mountains. It has a rustic, bluesy feel which he revisits on “Moon Valley Blues.”

“Rolling Road” is a highlight as his guitar skills really shine on this song. The lead in particular is notable. He ends with “Slows Dreaming” which sounds like its title and “Sun Travels” which is a short but effective closer.

A Conscious Collaboration is a solid instrumental guitar album. That being said I was wondering what Zev is capable of with material that isn’t improvised.

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