Music Review: Zac Bauman

Zac Bauman is a student at UC Davis. Anybody who attends will be the first to admit that UC Davis isn't necessarily known for having a huge focus on liberal arts. Bauman, however, seems to break this mold on a personal level. His music is as emotional and creative as it is intellectually stimulating. He uses a variety of instruments and abstract lyrical themes to create music that is both kick-back friendly, and at the same time fitting to the coffee-shop scene. This is definitely saying a lot. Since I became a resident, I have become somewhat critical of the Sacramento music scene (more than anybody should be critical of their local music scene - and they should. If there is anything you feel is missing, you can always be the one to fill it in). It literally was show after show that I endured the same guy-with-guitar type singer/songwriters who may have had an in 5 years ago (before certain performers whose fame in this article will be reduced to the initials JM) took not only their local coffee-shops but eventually vh1 and the grammies to their heart. Unfortunately Zac Bauman did not have the opportunity to change my mind about live performances in person. He did, however, mail the publication recordings of his songs: Rodya and Tom McLean. Listening to these songs, was emotionally reminiscent of the scene in Lord of the Rings (the better trilogy, and yes I will debate this with you)where Gandalf the White arrives on horseback with the riders of rohan following behind him. The only word I could use to describe it at that moment was unique. The word unique must be kept in mind as I make the following comparisons. In order to really get a grip on what Bauman's indie-acoustic side project is like, one must listen to it. The first song Rodya is nearly six minutes long and an orchestral soundscape. It has the instrumental dynamics of Sufjan Stevens, the ethereal spider-web vocals of Elliott Smith and the cinematic song-pattern of bands like North. That's right bands. In fact, if it weren't for the artist tab being visible on the jukebox, I would never assumed that it was a solo project (With the help of a few others, I have learned to not be presumptuous about what a side-project should sound like. My dismissal for Sacramento is dissipate as well). As many words as I've given to Mr. Bauman's art, I can't help but feel that I've done it a disservice by blindly praising it. His music draws on so many influences and perch itself on a fine line between abstraction and avant-garde cliche that it seems to demand criticism. The thing is, there is just nothing to criticize. Zac knows what he's doing, he knows what he's going for and as eclectic as the sound is, it is far from sloppy or mosaic. I highly recommend that you visit him on myspace. Be sure to pick up his record from Beat Nun Records, and "It Came Without Packages, Boxes or Tags: Shangri-La Media 2009." upon it's release in November.

Don't Stop Believing

Jordan.
Shangri-La Media.

It Came Without Packages, Boxes or Tags: Shangri-La Media 2009.

The album compilation "It Came Without Packages, Boxes or Tags: Shangri-La Media 2008." Is being restarted and revamped for the 2009 Holiday season. Although not much has changed about the course of the CD, I've decided to ditch some of the restrictions I had last year for contribution. I will be publishing a project report, likely in August or late July that will go over everything y'all will need to know about the reincarnation. Still if you want in depth information about the purpose of the album, or the financial accountability I've set forth as a standard for it, you can read it all in the 2008 Project Report.

You can always email questions, or comments to:
Procedelaluz@gmail.com

Love yourself,
Jordan.