Zon’s ‘Astral Projector’ is a great album, but definitely one for those who like pompous arrangements and keyboards to boot, and a taste for things from the 70’s.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Zon
ALBUM: Astral Projector
LABEL: Epic
SERIAL: 90442
YEAR: 1978
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP: Denton Young – vocals * Brian Miller – guitars * Howard Helm – keyboards * Jim Samson – bass * Kim Hunt – drums
<TRACK LISTING: 01 Put On The Show * 02 Time For Your Love * 03 Point Of View/Where To Spend My Dollar * 04 Man In The Mirror * 05 Talkin’ About * 06 Melody * 07 On The Road * 08 Astral Projector * 09 Hollywood
WEBLINKS: Zon Info Link
Background
This is the debut album by the much loved Canadian outfit Zon. Described to me previously by Moxy‘s Earl Johnson as a ‘fairies and wizards’ band, this was an obvious humorous jest at their pompous and overblown sound.
Lots of keyboards, and galloping guitars, resembling a cross between Queen and Styx, and doing a great job too. The lineup remained stable all through their shortlived career, and it was probably this one album which stands the test of time among their discography.
It’s heavily reliant on the absorbing ivory tinkling provided by keyboard god Howard Helm, though the remainder of the band do a great job keeping pace. The vocal gymnastics of Denton Young rambling about all sorts of weird lyrics probably proves Earl Johnson right in his apt description.
The Songs
The highlights for me are the timeless tracks ‘Talkin’ About’, the impressive opener ‘Put On The Show’, and of course the classic title track ‘Astral Projector’. The keyboard and organ work of Helm stand out a mile on these tracks, as do the special effects. ‘Melody’ is a straight ahead piano based romp, which reminds one of Neal Doughty’s work with REO Speedwagon.
The metronome is turned up for the pacy ‘Time For Your Love’ while the adjoining ‘Point Of View’ and ‘Where To Spend My Dollar’ borders on the epic, in a 70’s sort of way. The latter features some zany vocal flurries from Young, as if he was in a theater performance!
In Summary
A great album, but definitely one for those who like pompous arrangements and keyboards to boot, and a taste for things from the 70’s. Their follow up albums are reviewed elsewhere on the site (click tag below). The talk is after all these years that Zon just might get their act together to release some new material, that is if all the members can come together when time and space permits. Lets wait and see.
Zon on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
