Zebrahead – 'Panty Raid' Album Review

Artist: Zebrahead
Title: ‘Panty Raid’
Label: Sony BMG
Rating: 3/5

Summary: Pop-Punk legends Zebrahead release what is easily one of the most fun and funky cover albums to grace alternative music.

Review:
Since forming in 1996, California’s Zebrahead have had one hell of a career; releasing a string of extremely catch albums and touring the world. Not to mention getting music videos on MTV and appearing on movie soundtracks (Idle Hands, Dude, Where’s My Car? And Little Nicky). They are big in Japan, well loved in the UK and a cult institution in their native USA.

Zebrahead have always had a penchant for a good pop-cover. Previously offering up cover song excellence in a reimagining of the Spice Girl’s hit Wannabe. However, this time they have not only pushed the boat out, but set sail and discovered a sunny land of scantily clad, punch-drinking islanders with a party spirit running through their veins. Zebrahead approached the recording of ‘Panty Raid,’ by inviting fans via their myspace to offer requests and suggestions – contributing to the final track list.

‘Panty Raid’ opens with Survivor (Destiny’s Child) and although sadly not as essential as Knockout’s similar offering on Fearless Record’s 2002 ‘Punk Goes Pop’ it is quickly followed by a near perfect rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’. A track so chock full of energy and fun, it should be a given for every party playlist. As should the lead single, Avril Lavigne’s ‘Girlfriend’ which is a clear album highlight, fitting the band’s style perfectly. The video is well worth a watch too and should provide more than a few chuckles.

Another victory is the band’s energetic, jangly bass-line filled interpretation of ‘Sweet Escape’ (Gwen Stefani). Oddly ‘London Bridge’ (Fergie) should be the easiest, at least stylistically, for the band to pull off. Yet it lacks punch and falls short of Bowling For Soup’s 2007 offering.  ‘Mickey’ (Toni Basil) is another notable cut and is driven along by Zebrahead’s trademark frantic energy.

A final special mention must go to ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ with its perky, ska-chord-laden verses and flawless delivery. The real triumph is that it re-energizes the original without losing any of the festive fun that made it so popular.

As with all cover collections, opportunities were missed and some of the tracks are less than essential. That said, I defy anyone to name a more effortlessly fun, cohesive record of this many era-hopping and well liked pop-covers!

Track Listing:
01. Survivor
02. Girls Just Want To Have Fun
03. Underneath It All
04. Trouble
05. London Bridge
06. Beautiful
07. Girlfriend
08. The Sweet Escape
09. Intro
10. Jenny From The Block
11. Rehab
12. Spice Up Your Life
13. Intro
14. Oops!…I Did It Again
15. Get The Party Started
16. Mickey
17. All I Want For Christmas Is You
18. Who Let The Dogs Out

For fans of: Bowling For Soup, Less Than Jake, MC Lars and Army Of Freshmen.
Download: ‘Girlfriend’ & ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’
Official Website: www.zebrahead.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/zebrahead

Written by Liam Thomson