Zebra

Zebra (Atlantic ’83) Rating: A-
I’ve never understood why these guys never got more respect or had more success. Although they had one minor radio hit with the terrific “Tell Me What You Want,” these guys sank without a trace. In fact, I saw them live in 1990 and they put on a great show, albeit in front of about 50 people! Although most critics would probably say that Zebra were a typical Led Zeppelin ripoff outfit, for one album at least they were much more, at least in my eyes. Sure, lead singer Randy Jackson bears a resemblance to Robert Plant, but this album is full of great tunes that a latter day Zep might have attempted, since majestic keyboards are a major part of their sound. Like Zep (and Rush, who they also remind me of), the band often strives for an epic sound, which they nail on several outstanding songs. For example, the band comfortably stretches out on “Take Your Fingers From My Hair,” which starts slowly but surges to several exciting climaxes before a spectacular jam finish that’s highlighted by Jackson’s Alex Lifeson-like guitar solo. Even better is “Who’s Behind The Door?,” one of the great lost songs of the ‘80s; its evocative beauty reminds me of “The Rain Song” - until its explosive futuristic finish, that is. “The La La Song” is another highly successful showcase for the band’s ambitious (file under: progressive hard rock) talents, while more concise highlights come in the form of the aforementioned “Tell Me What You Want,” an equally atmospheric and explosive showcase for Jackson’s impassioned vocals, “Just One More Chance,” another catchy (and regret-filled) rock song, this one with symphonic elements, and “When You Get There,” an energetic and catchy riff rocker. Granted, Zebra never matched this debut album, and I can certainly live without their rollicking cover of The Beatles “Slow Down,” but I’ve long felt that this long overlooked gem was one of the best hard rock albums of the early ‘80s.

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