Zao -- All Else Failed (2003 Remake)

6/10

Zao owed their record label two albums, so when they recorded 2002's Parade of Chaos, they recorded a quick remake of their first album, 1995's All Else Failed. Because of this, the remake has similar instrumental tones to Chaos, with fuzzier, granier throwback rock music over what some might call metalcore, but absent Chaos' electronic touches and singing. I'd never heard the original All Else Failed at this point, but when I scooped up the 2003 remake, it just felt kind of rote. I didn't think it was terrible by any means, but it wasn't very interesting either...just kind of okay. I just chalked that up to the fault of the original source material. 

However, while working on these reviews, I went back and finally listened to the orignal All Else Failed, and... 

You know what, 2003's All Else Failed is definitely a quick cash in. For a band who's always staked their claim on passion and musical invention, this album has neither. The original All Else Failed not only contains two more tracks than this one, but considerably more passion, and a sense of hunger and ambition. Those elements are completely absent here. This is the last piece of recorded material band drummer, sometimes singer, sort-of frontman, band founder, and final original member, Jesse Smith, did with the band--and this is essentially Zao's career lowpoint. 

How low? 

So low, they went on a "farewell tour" at the end of this era of the band. It looked like, after numerous threats, this might finally be the end. And then, something funny happened. Smith left, and this band...didn't break up.


2003 Solid State/Tooth & Nail Records
1. Resistance 2:59
2. In Loving Kindness 3:14
3. Endure 4:41
4. Growing in Grace 5:18
5. Foresight 2:59
6. Ps. 77 5:26
7. Exchange 3:25
8. All Else Failed 13:34