Aboutmeemo - 2024 - Zugzwang

(45:08; Aboutmeemo)

Track list:
1. A Life Against 3:28
2. Live in Denial 3:36
3. Lack of Passion 3:50
4. It Ended Up Like That 3:50
5. Heaven Mania 3:26
6. Distractions 3:54
7. Feel Safe Again 3:44
8. Song for No One 3:07
9. Another Sky 4:17
10. Hooded Man 3:38
11. Immigrant Lament 4:16
12. Passive Aggressive Scammers 4:02

Line-up:
Aboutmeemo - vocals, bass, guitars, keyboards
with:
Nicola D'Amato - drums
Stefano Mancini - drums


Ireland based artist Aboutmeemo have been releasing solo material for the better part of a decade by now, releasing his first album back in 2016 and an EP that appeared in 2019. His second full length album "Zugzwang" was originally scheduled for a late 2023 release, but a change of management and labels saw the album release pushed back to the late fall of 2024 and now through Italian label Sorry Mom!. This review is based on the promo distributed in 2023.

I guess that the best general description of the music we get here will be classic rock, and possibly alternative rock. This is music that comes with a broadly appealing general nature, with songs that in most cases would be a perfect fit for any classic rock FM radio station you can think of. This is also, obviously, a field of music where the competition is fierce, both from the known albums of yesteryear and the forgotten jewels of the past.

On this album we get two types of songs, and while not dramatically different from one another there is a bit of a difference. Both of these variations will perhaps broadly fall in under the alternative rock moniker, and the ones with possibly the broadest commercial appeal here are the songs that blend the alternative rock vibes with a little bit of Americana. Plucked guitar details, a violin chiming in on one of the tracks, a few nods towards the good, old blues on other songs. While perhaps not the most interesting in terms of style these are songs that will have a generally broader appeal, especially if this album will be marketed stateside.

The other set of songs here are closer in sound and style to the 90s britpop bands on some levels, with many of them perhaps baring an even closer resemblance to the type of material UK band Manic Street Preachers explored towards the end of the 1990s. Many of the songs that intrigued me the most on this album belong in this category, and while the commercial appeal may not be as wide with these songs I do suspect that for the right audience these will be the songs that will also have the highest impact.

I find this to be a generally good album with moments of solid quality. While I wouldn't describe this production as a must buy album as such, for those who enjoy alternative rock similar in style to late 90s Manic Street Preachers and who also enjoy this type of music mixed up with a little bit of Americana this will be a rewarding listen too. And for some in that specific audience this album will have the quality to be regarded as a loved and treasured album.

Olav M. Björnsen, November 2024

Links:
https://www.aboutmeemo.com/
https://www.sorrymom.it