Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Zero Procent
Label: Fonografika
Release: 2012
Running time: 36:10
Rating: 4/5
Zero Procent are an exceptionally good Polish rock outfit with a clear, upfront habit of flirting directly with the airwaves. Let’s be realistic here. Considering that the lyrics, with the exception of one new track, are written and sung entirely in Polish, Zero Procent are aiming first and foremost at Polish radio frequencies. Interestingly, their 2007 debut had entirely English lyrics. The gap between the two albums was long enough for one thing to crystallize: Zero Procent apparently weren’t interesting enough to grab attention on the international market, so they went back to writing verses in their native language, to at least anchor themselves in the Polish music mainstream. Of course, we can only hint at that, but it’s one possible scenario. Of course you’ll immediately wonder why a review of this album in a foreign music medium like RockLine makes any sense at all. The band simply showed interest on their own initiative, and the fact is that the new album also confirms, as already mentioned, that Zero Procent are a very good outfit.
The new studio effort brings 11 tracks and doesn’t hide its strong supports in groove rhythmic textures that automatically get the listener clapping along. There’s a funk rhythmic platform (Nothing to Hide, Dobrze mi z tym), plus occasional jumps into infectious pop melodicism, which you can catch in a flash in the opening title track or Dobrze mi s tym. Bo sila w nas is the point on the album where the pop element in the arrangements overpowers the band’s rock-based musical ABC, so it’s no surprise that vocalist Patrycja Malinowska joins singer Franek in a duet to add a pinch of salt to that pop element.
The guys also show a very good feel for delivering lead arrangements steered into alternative rock waters, where the groove rhythm described above, alongside an excellent warm and dynamic sound production, is generously contrasted and especially tempting ( A gdyby tak and/or the mystical closer Nie powiem). On the album »Nieuniknione« it’s framed with a crafted art sensibility for infectious melodiousness and tunefulness that catches fire on the first listen. The track Wystarczył gest reveals the guitarists’ hard rock background, especially in the classically shaped opening guitar phrase and the instrumental middle section, which is spiced up with classic hard rock soloing, and all of it is nicely framed by a jaunty, galloping rhythm that, in a different sound-production setting, could be played up as downright glam rock.
The band’s strength lies in finely honed lead motifs that reach an atmospheric final charge in infectious melodic hooks. They understand the gradual build-up of mood and capitalize on it successfully in the songs. The vocal of singer Kamil Franczak carries just the right connotation of cheekiness, even a touch of rebellious attitude, while at the same time having a sweet purity that brings the pop element into the songs. The singer also capitalizes on his talent by loosening up the vocal lines, adding a colorful touch of improvisation, without overdoing it in the slightest.
Most of the backing is built on guitar, and it’s truly incredible how well the entire space is used. Not just elementary riffs, but also finely crafted solos, as well as solutions in adding extra lines to embellish the motifs. It must be pointed out right away that the band sticks to a clean, organic-sounding approach to guitar tone, favoring it over noisy distortion, even though on the album it often develops a »contrastingly arranged duality« in this respect, since Zero Procent have two guitarists. Distortion is mostly placed in the role of building a curtain of backdrop behind the accompaniment. The band makes excellent use of this dual guitar arrangement to fill out the sound, and it’s showcased in contrast, for instance, in the track Ona to wie. The clean guitar sound consistently takes priority over the distorted one in the production, with the exception of the cranked-up Oddaway. All of this testifies to the excellent musical know-how of both guitarists.
»Nieuniknione« is a mature step up from the band’s 2007 debut. With the new album, Zero Procent have defined their musical turf,which is a distinctive combination of elements of alternative rock, funk, pop music, even classic rock. They’ve managed to carve out, in terms of authorial distinctiveness, a place under the open sun, which throws the doors wide open for them to successfully anchor themselves among the leading Polish bands of the local mainstream rock. A few craftily polished chorus hooks also give them cues for launching hit potentials to the top of the domestic charts.
Given that the track Notihng To Hide works excellently in English, with even Kamil’s vocal coloring behaving a bit differently from the standard »Polish« one, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to consider releasing an English version of this album and in that way (once again) knock on the door of the international scene. How does that saying go again? Never say never! Anyway, congrats to the guys on a truly nicely rounded and meticulously polished new studio document.
Lineup
Kamil “Franek” Franczak – vocals
Paweł “Pablo” Sierakowski – guitar
Daniel “Dada” Urbaniak – guitar
Krzysztf “Chris” Brzeziński – bass guitar
Maciek “Max” Magoch – drums
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Patrycja Malinowska – vocals on track no. 6
Chris Aiken – percussion
Production
Zero Procent, Marek Kościkiewicz & Chris Aiken
Tracklist
1. Nieuniknione
2. Ona to wie
3. A gdyby tak
4. Oddawaj
5. Czy to zbyt wiele?
6. Bo w nas sila
7. Naiwny
8, Dobrze mi z tym
9. Nothing to hide
10. Wystarczył gest
11. Nie powiem
