Music Review
Messer Chups – Don’t Say Cheese
★★★★★
Good, but needs more Zombierella
If you’re a Messer Chups fan first and a Zombierella fan second (something this reviewer can’t imagine), you should dig this one. However, if you’re a Zombierella fan first and a Messer Chups fan second (the club yours truly belongs to), you’ll be disappointed. Four of the tracks feature Sean Wheeler, of the Southern California-based band Throw Rag, on vocals. There are three good and unique instrumental covers of the classic songs “Nights in White Satin” (spelled “Night in White Satin” on the album), Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game,” “Blue Velvet,” and “Greensleeves” (renamed “Green Flippers” here), as well as some 2020 remixes of earlier-released Messer Chups’ songs. Oleg’s guitar is its usual perfection and Rockin’ Eugene’s drums provide that driving backbeat, but the major downside to this album is that Zombierella’s bass is too low in the mix and of the 18 tracks on this album, there are only four tracks that include her vocals and the only ones of those that really feature them are “Catzilla Strikes Again” and “Robot Dance.” Overall good album, but needs more Zombierella.
About the author
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris flirted with the music business there and in Nashville before joining the U.S. Army and serving in South Korea. He remained in Asia for several years afterwards, teaching English, traveling, and covering the regional entertainment scenes. Currently in a mindset between Seoul and San Francisco, besides Idol Features, you can also catch his writings in the print edition of the monthly magazine, Effective.
