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On The Way of the Animal Powers, Zu have harnessed an animalistic urge - with guitars buzzing, projecting spindles of noise into the ether and brutish drum spasms, the members of Zu wield their instruments like creatures of the forest. It is clearly something that they have attempted to push to the extreme, and it provides for a largely gut-wrenchingly good listen. However, we at fakejazz have also heard this before, and long for something more. The Way of the Animal Powers will appeal to both the virtuoso who appreciates quick time changes and razor sharp guitar chops and the fresh ears who have not been exposed to this kind of music, but for those reared on the Skin Graft Records catalogue and no-wave classics of DNA, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks and Mars, this will sound like old hat.

It is hard to resist comparisons when describing Zu’s sound. The Way of the Animal Powers is chock full of free-jazz squawks, no-wave dissonance and the kind of stop-start rhythm not unheard of in the math rock tradition. Like other releases on new Italian imprint Xeng, this Rome-based band offers music that straddles these various genres. It is a classic record – not in the sense that it will be remembered, revered and re-played by future generations, but by its recognizable and easily categorized characteristics.

Zu’s virtuosity can’t be denied – their ability at covering considerable musical terrain on a single track is quite impressive. Clearly they are scholars of free-jazz, no and now wave, and for this they deserve respect. Unfortunately, at times it doesn’t leave much to the imagination for those looking for more than a chin rub or art rock head bang. On certain occasions, when Zu steps out of these shoes, all hell does indeed break lose. ‘Things Fall Apart’, for example, leaves blood on the walls with its fractured beats. But compared to the efforts of some of their more adventurous contemporaries, Mouthus, Excepter and Double Leopards to name a few, The Way of the Animal Powers feels more like a nostalgic trip.

The Way of the Animal Powers finds the Rome-based power trio teaming up with veteran cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm, a fixture of the Chicago scene who has also released a number of strong solo records. Fittingly, much of the finger tapping guitar parts and drum bursts bring to mind seminal Chicago act U.S. Maple, with whom Lonberg-Holm has performed live and on record. Maybe on their next effort, Zu could also recruit Maple singer Al Johnson to add a little city grit to their forest romp.

Zu at Amazon & Insound