Operating in a vein similar to that of
Phoenix's United, Living in a Magazine is a delightful, endearing slice of retro
synth pop from
Zoot Woman. Where
Phoenix sometimes feels a bit like progressive rockers
Steely Dan,
Zoot Woman seeks inspiration in the Human League,
New Order, and
Kraftwerk.
Les Rhythmes Digitales'
Stuart Price clearly plays a key role in the band, but he reins in his funky
electronic musings, allowing the album to take on a subtle, jazzy feel as it honors the sound of 1980s
synth pop.
Zoot Woman exercises more restraint here than many of the band's retro peers. Where a group like
Ladytron hammers home its analog sound as if with sledgehammers,
Zoot Woman uses a soft mallet of sonic curve balls, echoing its influences but sounding refreshingly modern. The lyrics are light and often quite humorous. "Jessie, please don't go," feels like an answer to
Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl." "Chicago, Detroit, L.A." effortlessly mixes stuttered samples,
trip-hop vibes, and
electro energy. "It's Automatic," "Information First," and "You and I" sound so similar to
Phoenix that one wonders if
Zoot Woman is a
Phoenix tribute band. "The Model" is a nice take on one of
Kraftwerk's best songs; it's catchy and quite danceable. Living in a Magazine has enough tempo changes and mood swings to hold one's interest and, even though it feels like a lesser cousin to United, it's a link to the past that's worthy of exploration. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Music Guide
