In 2006 AUTHORITY ZERO released ‘Rhythm and Booze’, a live acoustic compilation album taking songs from their first two LPs. Roll forward to 2012 and Jason DaVore (vocals) states that they had so much fun doing the first one, they might as well do a second one (and film it too). The result comes in the form of CD and DVD package ‘Less Rhythm More Booze’ – a live acoustic compilation of tracks from albums three and four.
Once the fundamental punk elements have been stripped back, the inspiration on the band by varying musical genres including blues, reggae and Americana is amplified in their sound. ‘Less Rhythm More Booze’ gently glides between genres, taking the cue from the previous records in its inability to focus entirely on one style. With the reduction of the songs to their core sound, any disconnection that existed on the four main releases is all but eradicated. The setlist choice for the live recording ensures a steady and structured flow.
‘Less Rhythm More Booze’ does at times sound unfashionable and outdated, but herein lays the charm. Regardless of the live DVD which accompanies the CD release, the music is able to transport you to the venue and to the actual performance. AUTHORITY ZERO sound as if they are enjoying every moment of the show, as do the attending fans in the rare snippets of audience participation. Live CDs rarely manage to capture the true atmosphere, which makes the intimate feeling on ‘Less Rhythm More Booze’ even more impressive – a good example being the opening jazz moments of ’12:34′ immediately promote images of smoky bars in New Orleans.
This isn’t a “cool: album by any means, but what it lacks in prevalence it makes up in passion; ‘Less Rhythm More Booze’ is the sound of four fully grown men playing the music they love to an intimate group of people who share the same feeling. This is stripped down music for the love of making music – and it’s great.
BEN TIPPLE