Zumpano - Look What the Rookie Did - 1995

The title says it all. This debut effort from Vancouver's Zumpano is an astounding piece of infectious, guitar-driven pop. The group's original material is outstanding, but the lone cover proves to be one of the album's highlights -- a compelling version of Jimmy Webb's "Rosecrans Boulevard" (previously recorded by the Fifth Dimension and Johnny Rivers). With Webb as an influence, it's no wonder Zumpano end up crafting such sophisticated yet melodic compositions of their own. In the '60s, tracks like the Zombies-esque "I Dig You" would have been all over the charts and the radio, but in the 1990s, there seems to be less of an audience for such inventive, intelligent pop. However, the freshness of Zumpano's sound, combined with adventurous melodies and rhythms, makes this an essential piece of work. -AMG

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