Zero ~ White Wine Winter Light, October 09, 2004

Zero’s release White Wine Winter Light is a catchy fusion of rock and old school 80’s punk stylings. The songs reflect well the lo-fi punk era of the late 70’s early 80’s punk movement. All the tracks are catchy, guitar-driven anthems with quirky, honest, slightly off-key vocal stylings.

Opener "Bitter" is a rocking anthem that espouses apathy about life in general, and not caring about being bitter and depressed, pissing your life away. Sample lyrics: “I’m bitter, I’m bitter to the bitter end, got an ugly reflection and hate is my only friend.” This is all set to some thick guitar fuzz and a commanding beat. This song best showcases the singing talent of lead vocalist John DeVault.
"Rex" follows up with another hard-driving punk rocker about a seemingly evil cat. It’s always enjoyable to open an album liner and find lyrics that can make you chuckle, but at the same time make good use of metaphor. I applaud Zero for being able to mesh some humor in their music.

The title track is probably the only weak point of the CD. I felt that the song kind of dropped the overall energy of the disc and seemed to drag on a bit. I think that the band would do well to focus more on their strengths of writing shorter, punchier songs that keep things upbeat. I say this because I was immediately drawn back into the music by the opening of the next track, "Infinite Sadness." Some cool flanged guitar grabs you right by the ears as soon as it starts up and won’t let go for the next three and a half minutes. This song also brings the singing talent of drummer Brian Raymond into the spotlight. It’s a cool variation on their formula, having a different vocalist come into the front of the mix, and shakes things up a bit.

I also don’t want to forget the talented bass work of Andy Hunter, who holds down a solid groove behind all the songs and keeps them moving.

Zero is quite a talented group and has found that fine line between current and retro without sounding gimmicky.

—By Benjamin Daniels, indie-music.com

A JAMESTOWN STATE OF MIND

Make a checklist of all the ingredients of radio-friendly pop. Hold it against State of Mind's six song tape and you've got a decent match up. Vocals out front? Got 'em. Choras full o' hooks? Yup. Love and its failings? Sure 'nuff. Wrap it in a very neat production package (courtesy of Groovetraks' John LaMoia and the band) and you've got a modest little winner of a debut.

This relatively young Jamestown trio succeeds so well largely because of their sharp focus. Each tune centers on one strong hook, and the instrumentals (guitarist John DeVault and bassist William Francis) fill in the spaces tastefully with melodic turns. No power chords here, SOM layers simple bits gracefully for some hummable delicacies. Check out the fun fuzz touches on "Pretty, Pretty" or the exposed bass riff in "Black Equals White."

—B. Protter, The NicePaper

Certain Logic: "Runaway, Walkaway" "Like a Ghost" Paul Nelson takes the vocal lead on the A-side, which falls into place like the crafted work it is. Nice piano sound too. Eerie voiceover recalls some of the more acid-drenched moments of the "Over Under Sideways Down" Yardbirds period. And you know that can't be bad.

Downstairs, John DeVault takes over at the microphone and turns in a more introspective, moody tune that sounds drughounded, brokenhearted and suitably atonal. Lonely and disturbed. Dark stuff, this. It does the job and sounds like a Boston radio piece. Yep. Give it time and maybe it will be. Nice blue and orange sleeve is an attention getter as well. Is this an expressionist thingy, d'ya suppose? Who cares?

CERTAIN LOGIC Five Song Cassette

Newport's Certain Logic keys electric ingenuity into an acoustic sensibility and opens up a cache of melodic mind-bending pop. A few shots of scotch and the casual world-weariness of Lou Reed (and Peter Hammill in places) set the mood for these soul-searching songs.

Most memorable are "Runaway-Walkaway" with its haunting European Stranglers feel, and the more upbeat "Like A Ghost" with its ethereal backing vocals. The latter also features the nicely freewheeling guitar of John DeVault, the newest Logician, formerly of Plan 9. For those without a window to look out, this original offering provides a room with a view.

—Phineas J., ZERO Magazine