For a band that creates cutesy, wide-eyed pop with a little bit of a punk rock spunk, ZOLOF THE ROCK & ROLL DESTROYER sure are a polarizing act. The tag team of Vincent Ratti and Rachel Minton evoke a variety of instant-emotions on the internets, all of which is sort of puzzling since the band’s music is overly charming and patently inoffensive. Maybe that’s a problem to some, but it certainly isn’t mine. Schematics is the group’s third full-length, but the first of all new material since their 2002 self-titled debut. Quite a bit has changed among the group over the years, particularly, the departure of co-vocalist Anthony Green (to CIRCA SURVIVE), and the band’s mitigated reliance on quirky keyboards to establish a unique sound. Schematics is actually rather conventional – the four piece group indulges in big glossy sounding guitars and the keys now play a secondary role, similar to the musical evolution of genre-friends MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK. Minton’s gorgeous voice is commanding without forcing her to come off like an attitude infested diva. It’s what keeps ZOLOF sounding cute and snappy instead of something a little less natural. It’s only taken five years, but ZOLOF THE ROCK & ROLL DESTROYER finally seem to have the makings of being a professional band and not the soundtrack for dance-party night at the local hipster band. Consider that a feat that shouldn’t be understated.

Flight Plan / Le Pamlemousse / Reignition

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