Zero Frequency - The Ocean's End (Vol. 1)
ZERO FREQUENCY DROPS STELLAR THE OCEAN’S END (VOL. 1)
Frequency is the musical project of Ian Smith, who just dropped a raw, captivating new album, called The Ocean’s End (Vol. 1).o
Zero Frequency
According to Smith, aka Zero Frequency, the inspiration for the album came from a documentary about Kink.com on Netflix, along with another documentary about porn star Rocco Steffi. As Smith says, “It got me thinking there must be a female equivalent out there.” Running with the idea, he put together a double album narrating the story of a young woman’s path to self-discovery and sexual awakening via the underground BDSM scene in San Francisco. Volume 2 of The Ocean’s End will drop in April.
What’s unusual and so unique about Zero Frequency (ZF) is that, while Ian Smith is the sole permanent member, ZF maintains all the trappings and punch of a four or five piece alt-rock outfit. Smith plays guitars, bass, and keyboards, which he loops directly into his Mac with Garageband. But he doesn’t stop there. He invites local musicians and friends to play on the tracks, at times even hiring collaborators online, via AirGigs. All of the songs on The Ocean’s End (Vol. 1) feature female vocalists, with the vocals recorded via internet collabs, loops, or live vocals.
The vocal talent on the album encompasses Alyona Avenax, Anna Zitnikova, BabyGee, Gracie Playpen, Honey Rae, Jovani Occomy, Leanne Brown, Riya, and Tonka.
If this sounds like a trip, it is. And what’s so darn interesting about the whole thing is the music, which is pure, raw, and lo-fi, but unrelentingly, almost cruelly, superior to all the digitally manipulated tripe being spewed out by the music industry.
And what’s so darn interesting about the whole thing is the music, which is pure, raw, and lo-fi, but unrelentingly, almost cruelly, superior to all the digitally manipulated tripe being spewed out by the music industry.
The Ocean’s End (Vol. 1) comprises 11-tracks, embracing a parade of styles, but in every case, the tracks cultivate flair, pressure, and sound, eschewing slackness.
Entry points on the album include the first track, “Artemis Descends,” featuring the voice of Anna Zitnikova, whose rolling, visceral tones infuse the lyrics with compact sensuality atop a crunching, blues-flavored proto-punk melody rife with crunching drums. “Euphoria, Euphoria” rides dirty, snarling guitars radiating visceral alt-rock flavors, along with emerging synths. A rounded guitar solo imbues the tune with pure, searing colors.
“Take It Deeper” features hollow, growling guitars and a rough and tough beat, taut and buff. The garage-grunge melody projects austere forceful sonic pressure. “Disco Ball Rider” travels on super-raw grunge-flavored guitars reminiscent of Jack White, simple and overpowering. Gracie Playpen provides the smoldering vocals exuding sizzling erotic savors.
“West Coast Refrain” opens with gospel-like choir tones flowing into a skintight new wave alt-rock tune. Angular colors from the synths add incandescent emanations, followed by heavy wah-wah riffs. “Heavy Steady Grip” thrums with dark, deep colors and droning energy atop a syncopated beat. I love the thick organic pulse of this track.
“Radio Love Rampage” is probably best defined as new wave surf rock with glaring industrial filaments of oomph running through it.
With The Ocean’s End (Vol. 1), Zero Frequency delivers sonic fervor, raw urgency, and stripped down brawny guitars akin to petit mal seizures. This album slaps, and Zero Frequency has it going on!
