The Knack: Re-Zoom CD Track Listing

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The Knack Re-Zoom (1998)
Originally Released Released July 14, 1998\nReissued + Expanded CD Edition Released January 14, 2003\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Seven years after the failed comeback Serious Fun, the Knack reunited with new drummer Terry Bozzio in tow and recorded Zoom. Sounding like a re-energized and de-sleazed version of Get the Knack, Zoom is the best album the maligned power-pop band has recorded since their debut. Doug Fieger's songwriting is sharp and melodic and the band delivers the tunes with vigor. A few cuts are a little undistinguished, but there are more solid, memorable songs here than on most of their albums, and that alone makes it a successful comeback. -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: (Re-Zoom) The Knack's 1998 release, Zoom, was their, let's see, fifth album and third comeback attempt. Unfortunately, Rhino utterly dropped the ball on its release, and when the rights reverted back to the band, they reissued it in early 2003, concurrently with their sixth album and fourth comeback attempt, Normal as the Next Guy. A big improvement over 1991's largely dire Serious Fun, this album also benefits from the presence of new drummer Terry Bozzio, a fellow victim of changing popular tastes and a far-superior drummer than the MIA Bruce Gary. In fact, Re-Zoom is probably the best Knack album since 1979's Get the Knack, with at least a few fine examples of pure L.A.-style power pop and a psychedelic closing ballad, "(All in The) All in All," that's among the group's finest songs. Unfortunately, most of the band's failings are still on display: Although Doug Fieger's lyrics have lost their original misogyny, they're still rather smug, and he sings them with a self-satisfaction unwarranted by his flagrantly derivative musical sense. (At least "Terry and Julie Step Out" makes its borrowings from the Kinks' "Waterloo Sunset" plain.) It's not for nothing that by far the best song on Re-Zoom is the untitled 17th track, a jangly pop/rocker with some excellent, wordless "ooh-la-la-la" harmonies. Competent but unnecessary covers of Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk" and Badfinger's "No Matter What" are also added. -- Stewart Mason\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW (Re-Zoom)\nRecycled, with some extra tracks, February 15, 2003\nReviewer: eveoflove (North York, Ontario Canada)\n \nMade in USA in 2002, Serial# ID1290DG, Playing Time 67:22\nI was really looking forward to this release... but what a let down!!! (though I really like the music).\n\nSimply put, what we have here is their 1998 release "Zoom", plus 3 bonus tracks (the Peter Ham-penned "No Matter What", "Girls Talk" composed by Elvis Costello, and an instrumental version of the album track "Mister Magazine").\n\n"Zoom" was, in my opinion, one of the best "Knack" albums: great tempos, good enthusiasm, and a lot of radio-friendly (but ignored) tracks.\n\nThis "expanded edition" includes great renditions as bonus tracks, given the "Knack" treatment if you don't own "Zoom", this edition is well worth getting: in my opinion, this CD deserves a much better fate that what it will most probably (and unfortunately) get. A true classic pop-rock effort.\n\n\nHalf.com Album Notes\nThe Knack: Berton Averre (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Doug Fieger (vocals, guitar); Prescott Niles (bass); Terry Bozzio (drums).\n\nProducers: Richard Bosworth, The Knack, Oliver Leiber.\n\nRecorded at House Of Blues Studio West, Encino, California.\n\nAlthough ZOOM counts as The Knack's second '90s comeback (following 1991's SERIOUS FUN), this should have been the record that saved them from the backlash created by their multi-platinum 1979 debut. Original members Doug Fieger, Prescott Niles and Berton Averre recruited former Missing Persons/Frank Zappa drummer Terry Bozzio for a record that is the equivalent of a power-pop smart bomb. Simple, bubblegum love songs such as "Can I Borrow A Kiss" and "Love Is All There Is" are sauteed in chiming 12-string guitar and chirpy harmonies guaranteed to bring back memories of AM radio and high-school crushes.\nElsewhere The Beatles are the obvious musical touchstone, whether it's the lyrical references to "Revolution #9" on "Terry & Julie Step Out" or the "Dear Prudence"-psychedelia of "(All In The) All In All." Lest ZOOM be seen as an all-out lovefest, The Knack do manage to import a modicum of cheeky snarkiness in the cynical bon-bon "Pop Is Dead." But the most fun comes during a pair of flat-out rave-ups, the runaway train of "Tomorrow" and the hard-hitting "Ambition," a tune co-written by Heartbreaker Stan Lynch and given its punch by Bozzio.
This rock cd contains 17 tracks and runs 67min 22sec.
Freedb: dd0fc811
Buy: from Amazon.com

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