It’s kind of funny. Since that rampaging puppet in the US has become the first man of the state, the releases from those who are dissatisfied with his actions have become more and better than ever before.
AUTHORITY ZERO is among them and seems to be on a real roll. After the release of “Broadcasting to the Nations“ in 2017, they follow up in 2018 with “Persona Non Grata“. For a band that has only released an album every three years in the past, this is remarkable.
AUTHORITY ZERO from the state of Arizona has been around for 24 years. Despite many lineup changes and setbacks in the form of annoyances in the music business and thefts, the band has consistently pulled themselves up with many performances and presents twelve songs on this album that serve as a good therapy for the gray autumn weather. The sound is a mix of upbeat (skate) punk, a pinch of hardcore, ska, and a bit of reggae. Although the lyrics are not exactly sunshine, the music is. It’s quite a feel-good sound that is a lot of fun to listen to.
In contrast to the last albums from, for example, Pennywise, the band does not fully convince me. Perhaps it’s due to the production, which is very good but also somewhat polished. Maybe it’s because the sound is already quite familiar, both from the band and many other bands. It’s somewhat like being at a festival in the afternoon. The sun is shining, the mood is good, and the first bands are playing. You have fun, move around a bit, drink something, and have a good time. Then later, when asked who the band was that played two hours ago, you think and can’t quite remember. It’s somewhat like that with this release. It’s good, the lyrics are personally tinged, often written in the first-person perspective, and have depth. Despite these good signs, something is missing for the band to fully convince.
So it remains a good album from a band that has something to say. Perhaps a few more edges and corners would have been better to showcase the character of the band more effectively.
