Escape From The Zoo – Countin’ Cards

Whether or not Escape From The Zoo are actually a band or not, in the same framework as other bands, is interesting, but what they are is a very tight knit group, made up of Jesse Sandejas and his wife Veronica, with the addition of We The Heathans’ Elliot Lozier who add Bass and Drums to the recording.

This album comes out of a time when Sadejas the Days N Dayz singer song writer was deep in lockdown along with Veronica and pretty much the rest of the world.  With time to reflect on your life and thoughts are all you have, songs will with out doubt reflect this.

It comes as no surprise that this release has the Fat Mike backing,  within a few seconds of ‘Heads Up 7 Up’ you can almost see/hear the Mikester himself bouncing around the room singing like it was one of his very own incarnations, although the vocal does lend itself more to a Star Fucking Hipsters track than this ska beat, rock monster.

What is very apparent as you wind your way through this eclectic album, is the fact that those animals that escaped from the zoo, are front and centre within every track, a feeling of fun and danger is not too far away every second you spend here.  ‘Learning Curve’ drops a sublime melodic horn filled ear worm into your head, whilst throwing you a life line quit literally, a song of companionship and unity during hard times, which exemplifies this whole albums direction.  Then the stand out and brilliant ‘Wasted Years’ kicks of with a tirade of truths and why the hell did we waste our younger years doing all the shit that we enjoyed when we could have simply been wearing cardigans and being safe, naaaah I much prefer the drinkin, fuckin and puking every night (well maybe not the puking bit), but we do need to do all this, just to learn and end up where we are now.

What is very apparent as you wind your way through this eclectic album, is the fact that those animals that escaped from the zoo, are front and centre within every track, a feeling of fun and danger is not too far away every second you spend here.  ‘Learning Curve’ drops a sublime melodic horn filled ear worm into your head, whilst throwing you a life line quit literally, a song of companionship and unity during hard times, which exemplifies this whole albums direction.  Then the stand out and brilliant ‘Wasted Years’ kicks of with a tirade of truths and why the hell did we waste our younger years doing all the shit that we enjoyed when we could have simply been wearing cardigans and being safe, naaaah I much prefer the drinkin, fuckin and puking every night (well maybe not the puking bit), but we do need to do all this, just to learn and end up where we are now.

We now come to the title track in a very emotionally heightened state, after being subjected to all the love, fun, friendship, comforting and most importantly “we are family” feelings that surrounds this whole piece, ‘Countin’ Cards’ is by far the most fun you will ever have whilst crying, laughing and dancing around like fucking maniac!  Serious stuff made fun.

Out now via Fat Wrecks Chords

Chase up all the bands info on their FACEBOOK page.