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The Zutons: You Will, You Won't

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? by Anthony Smith
  • Type: Single
  • Release date: 05/04/2004
  • Label: Deltasonic
It may be a crass regional stereotype to assume that Liverpudlian songsmiths are the undisputed kings of catchy, but it's certainly not anything that the current clutch of Scouse outfits are going out of their way to disprove. And it's The Zutons that appear the most contagious of the lot.

'You will, You Won't', their fourth single, is an unrepentant cartoonish blues-stomp that conjures delightful images of the cast of 'Sesame Street' invading the set of 'The Commitments'. (I can see it now, Big Bird kicking the shit out of that pony-tailed crooner.) That a beautifully cracked voice McCartneyesque chorus flowers from the mayhem is something we probably don't expect or deserve.

It has to be said that the stunted, unilateral groove that drives this mutha along is not a million miles away from 'Smoke On The Water', and many of you will have trouble reconciling that as 'a good thing.'

Still, this is endearing kooky, incorrigibly quirky and interminably catchy. In the finest Devo tradition, it's silliness with a straight face.

  • The Zutons 8 / 10
Words: Anthony Smith

Comments

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The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

sound quite like the coral to me, easy comparison to make tho, would like to hear a bit more.
typhoon | 3 Apr '04, 18:49 | Send note | Report this | Reply

The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

YAAAAAAAAAAAWN!!!!!!! Why don't these bands just fuck off??!!? It's all the same. It's getting silly now. Even these emo bands aren't as tedious as these nu-rock 'n' roll bands.
waterwings | 4 Apr '04, 17:08 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

so you think they sound like the white stripes then???

you need some new ears
monsieurgazerina | 4 Apr '04, 22:22 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

"YAAAAAAAAAAAWN!!!!!!! Why don't these bands just fuck off??!!? It's all the same. It's getting silly now. Even these emo bands aren't as tedious as these nu-rock 'n' roll bands"

this is coming from someone who rates coldplay and mew highl

you are wrong the Zutons are good

jrak | 5 Apr '04, 00:30 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

That's because I think Coldplay and Mew are good!! I could criticise you for rating Hope of the States high, but it's all to do with opinion and I don't particularly care.

Look, I've heard one Zutons song, and I think it lacks any kind of originality - it sounds like a bad Coral IMHO. The rest of their stuff *could* be good, but I'm not holding my breath......
waterwings | 5 Apr '04, 12:41 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

I went to see the Zutons support the Coral the other day (am in Paris) and I thought they were REALLY good. Energetic, interesting, pretty innovative - not unlike the Coral actually, with a few quirky touches creeping into their songs. Will certainly be getting the album. They are nothing like a 'new rock'n'roll' band - suspect you are going on what you think they are going to be like rather than what they are actually like.
Olly_F | 5 Apr '04, 15:44 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

Two things :-

1) "Energetic, interesting, pretty innovative - not unlike the Coral actually"

Have you, by chance, heard the Coral's "Magic and Medicine" album???? They are anything but innovative - at a push, they were on their debut album, but they still came across as an easy-listening Captain Beefheart!

2) "suspect you are going on what you think they are going to be like rather than what they are actually like."

I've heard ONE song. I've said this before. I will probably have a more informed opinion after hearing more of their stuff, but for the time being, I don't think the Zutons are anything as good as you have made them out to be....sorry.
waterwings | 6 Apr '04, 15:18 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

'The Coral' - I don't know about innovative in the strict sense of the word as I am sure, yes, they have deep roots in other bands (don't actually know Captain Beefheart) but if you compare with any other bands of today they are MASSIVELY innovative in that they don't sound like any other band releasing stuff at the moment. Which doesn't really make them innovative but it is certainly a positive in my book.

I actually have a real problem seeing how you can give an opinion at all, even an uninformed one, if you've only heard one song. It could be the equivalent of hearing Song 2 and judging Blur on that basis. Not that that's a bad song - it's just not what the band are like. This is all B/S really - as you say, wait til you've heard the rest. I am not even a fan yet - they were just very very good live and I will be getting their album.
Olly_F | 6 Apr '04, 15:26 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

OK, point taken - I won't formulate any kind of proper opinion about the Zutons until I've heard some more of their stuff :-)

However, on your point about The Coral, I too once thought they were HIGHLY innovative when "Skeleton Key EP" came out. Their debut album was also on a similar level of quality. Then, I heard "Magic and Medicine" (what happened there?!?!) and then Captain Beefheart. This REALLY let me down, as "Skeleton Key" sounds like a direct rip-off from Beefheart's "Trout Mask Replica" album...maybe a bit more accessible, but still.....I urge you to check that Beefheart album out though, you'd probably like it.
waterwings | 6 Apr '04, 15:40 | Send note | Report this | Reply

The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

New ears? No man, it's called having an opinion - it's a fantastic right to have! :-) And they have about as much originality as the White Stripes have (i.e none). Please don't tell me that this is highly original stuff - that would simply lead me into hysterics!!
waterwings | 4 Apr '04, 23:06 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

Of course you're entitled to your opinion.

But there's surely no way you can decribe the zutons as "emo". i think that MAY have been the point the white stripes comment was aiming for (but i doubt it, seeing there is no way - to my mind - that the white stripes could be described as emo either).


aaaaand one more thing... you can click on "reply to this post" when you reply to posts, it makes them come up in the right order.
ImageChange | 5 Apr '04, 01:05 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

Nope, didn't describe Zutons or the White Stripes as emo, mate......lol, not that ignorant! I was basically making a comparison between crappy emo bands (i.e Starting Line etc) and these nu-rock 'n' roll bands (i.e Zutons and White Stripes)

Arrrgh, so hard to have a decent debate through typing....
waterwings | 5 Apr '04, 12:44 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

Dude you are entitled to your opinion and have the right to share it. It is MY opinion that you are wrong, that coldplay are average (a wimpy gutless average) and that Mew sucks and the point of this thread that the Zutons are good and yes, ORIGINAL (please start hysterics....now). While you may have the right to share you opinion I do question why you would want to spend your time writing about how you don't like a band, get a life, you've heard one song from them if you didn't like it fine but yours is hardly an informed opinion on the group. But thats fine you go in your room and listen to Coldplay ( and weep) I'll stick with the Zutons in my room
jrak | 5 Apr '04, 16:56 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

Lol....FFS man, get a fucking grip. I like writing about both bands I like and don't like, and hopefully spark off *some* kind of debate....you clearly haven't grasped the idea of a) having an open mind, and b) debating.

If you ARE interested in having a proper discussion, as opposed to slagging off two bands that I've rated highly (which must mean you agree with the majority of the rest of the bands I've rated, due to the fact you keep focussing on the same two!!), then tell me how the Zutons are original. To me, they DON'T sound original, but maybe you can convince me otherwise.

Then, listen to Captain Beefheart......has your opinion changed? :-)

But seriously man, don't go all handbags on me! Or in the words of the dude from the E-Sure advert - "calm down dear, it's a commercial!" (although it's not a commercial....but a relevant principle nonetheless)

Oh, and I don't cry to Coldplay....as Robert Smith rightly said, "big boys don't cry"......
waterwings | 6 Apr '04, 12:52 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

I do have an open mind and my purpose of replying you was to debate. I'm not sure what a proper discussion entails as I am American and not as well schooled in the proper arts as you English but I will try dear sir. And no in fact I think the majority of the bands on you've rated highly are crap, with a few exceptions, which probably goes someway towards explaining why I like the Zutons and you don't. I am a Captain Beefheart fan and it does appear to me that they are an influence on ther Zutons, I don't see how that makes the Zutons any less original as they don't sound alike and every musician has influences so what it your point. If you mean crazy when you say "don't go all handbags on me" don't worry I haven't, and I'm perfectly calm. I don't get that commercial so I'll quote you a "advert" from the Washington Post in reply "If you don't get it, you don't get it" and Sir in regards to the Zutons it appears you don't. Now I apologize if you've taken my Yankee manners as rude and I invite you to a virtaul tea time at six o'clock. I toast you.
jrak | 6 Apr '04, 16:41 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

Ahhhhhhh, you're a Yank???!!? That explains a lot then.....!! Hehehe....sorry, only joking.

Well I'm bored of this particular conversation, although I'd love to chat with you further (so long as the topic of conversation isn't about the Zutons!!).......
waterwings | 6 Apr '04, 23:03 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

Ah, yeah. im with you now. rereading the post, i should have got that first time...

interesting to hear zutons put in a category with the white stripes. i dont see that either. i dont really think any of those bands coming out of liverpool fit with the new rock revolution (or whatever its being called his week). they arent cool enough, and sound.. a bit naff really. nothing against them, like. they were pretty good fun when i saw that a t in the park... far better than that oasis tribute band with the two drummers i left in order to see them.


i think i was only initially confused because of a running joke about "nu- indie" and "nu-rock n roll". those being exactly the same as said genres but with rap sections stuck in the middle...

not a good joke, but it passes the time.
ImageChange | 5 Apr '04, 18:18 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

Lol, well admittedly, I lump all these new rock revolution bands in together....just not a fan, to be honest.

Out of interest, you going to T in the Park this year? The lineup seems to be the pick of the festival bunch, IMHO.
waterwings | 6 Apr '04, 12:42 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

Yeah, t in the park is my preferred festival. madchester-loving drug-addled ned-a-likes over preachy old hippies any day of the week...

i think the line-up looks pretty good, although there are a few bands im a bit bored of from seeing too many times.
i'd like to see Bowie, The Pixies, The Strokes and PJ Harvey.

i'm not sure if im going for the weekend or just a day this year (but i do really want to see Bowie... hmm...)

either way: i'll probably spend half my time at the t-break stage, same as last year.
ImageChange | 6 Apr '04, 19:10 | Send note | Report this | Reply

The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

the zutons are in a category all their own and the only thing you need to know is they are superb. dave mccabe has the best voice in liverpool but this song is quite shouty so doesn't showcase it like their other songs. they are an outstanding live act; everyone is a spectacle, nobody is a passenger.
seashell | 5 Apr '04, 12:27 | Send note | Report this | Reply

The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

what do internet arguments and paralympics have in common????????????


Even if you win,you are still a spacker
chino17 | 5 Apr '04, 22:26 | Send note | Report this | Reply

The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

Have you not been sacked yet, Anthony? I'm sorry but you're the worst thing to ever happen to this website, and possibly the worst music journalist I have ever read any articles by. Your writings are banal, uninformED, drivelly, uninformATIVE, and basically useless.
Please leave this great little website alone.
brusma | 6 Apr '04, 18:40 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

You're a viscious little pup. Relax!
newd | 7 Apr '04, 10:04 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

Brusma, brusma, brusma, dear little lad! Obviosuly you are entitled to your opinion, however personal you wish to present it. However your rant is itself, to coin a phrase, banal, uninformED, drivelly, uninformATIVE, and basically useless. You do not express any form of opinion towards the record itself or do you present any form of evidence to back up your opinions! May I suggest you run along little boy and learn some new words? If you hadnt guessed, or to be fair if you even care, I quite like the Zutons!
hodd | 7 Apr '04, 10:25 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

Ouch....this could get nasty!!

*dives for cover*
waterwings | 7 Apr '04, 13:06 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: The Zutons - You Will, You Won't

I like the Zutons too, except for that horrid Zuton Fever song.
I just think the reviewer is a liability to music journalism.
brusma | 11 Apr '04, 18:25 | Send note | Report this | Reply