Published in LiP Magazine
[http://www.lipmagazine.org]

THE ZINCS: DIMMER

Reviewed by Richard Klin
06.21.05

The Zincs are the musical brainchild of Londoner-turned-Chicagoan Jim Elkington. Moth and Marriage, The Zincs debut, was in essence a solo project as Elkington—alone—handled each and every instrument. On the eclectic Dimmer, the second release to bear the band’s name, the Zincs have gelled into a full-fledged ensemble and present a poetic, strangely evocative musical alloy. Comparisons to the vaunted Velvet Underground are almost de rigueur these days, but frontman Elkington possesses a bona-fide Reedy timbre. The Zincs successfully negotiate the subtle craft of sounding both minimalist and lush, without a trace of oxymoron. One especially happy surprise: Making a comeback appearance on the album is that venerable prog-rock staple, the mellotron.

“Beautiful Lawyers” and “The Moment is Now!” should be the likely candidates for heavy rotation, but there’s not a misfire anywhere on the entire album. “New Thought” is a valuable reminder that folk music is far from a lifeless exercise in mellow nostalgia. And no wasted words, either. Elkington’s lyrics are literate and deadpan funny, tackling, among many themes, ennui: “Drink in the afternoon/Nothing’s going to happen soon.”

The grab-bag of musical influences are on display for all to hear, but Dimmer isn’t derivative in the slightest. Elkington is a true singer-songwriter—another overused term getting a proper application. In today’s musical climate of flash and commodity, the Zincs stand out as very genuine and equally promising.

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