Search - ZNR :: Barricade 3

Strange, wonderful, and unique.

Lord Chimp | Monkey World | 09/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ZNR's 1977 treasure _Barricade 3_ is a delightful, accessible yet indefinable, unique album influenced by French composers of the Debussy generation and jazz music. It is primitive yet sophisticated, at first seeming to be a simple concoction mostly using pianos, synthesizers, and winds. But there are but also saxophone, violin, guitars, percussion, and occasional vocals. There are beautiful melodies by the ream and the arrangements are uniformly clever and quirky, with occasional free-jazz-like bursts. Rarely can a band produce a work of such individuality, wit and light-heartedness. It could almost be a sort of avant-garde pop album because of its peppy oddness and catchiness, but I really cannot put a label on it. Completely unique back in 1977 and it still is. Highly recommended, and give it a chance to grow."