Album Details

• Artist: Zz Ward
• Album: Til The Casket Drops
• Label: Hollywood Records
• Year of Release: 2012
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: carlita on 2012-10-15

Media

ZZ Ward, the blue eyed Fedora-clad lady who melded porch whiskey-drinking downhome blues, pop and hip-hop persuasively on her high impact mixtape, Eleven Roses, returns with her official debut album, Til The Casket Drops.  Previewing the record and providing access, a few songs at a time, her diehard following could rock to the songs before everyone else. A couple recognizable favorites from the mixtape and earlier released EP, resurface such as the opening track, "Til The Casket Drops", tear-inducing "Last Love Song" produced by Ryan Tedder, "Move Like U Stole It" and "Oil Money" sampled "Criminal" featuring Freddie Gibbs. However, she proved she was hiding some fiery tracks up her sleeve like 60's flavored "Blue Eyes Blind", "Home" and album highlights "Cryin Wolf" featuring the man of the hour, Kendrick Lamar and Etta James inspired "Charlie Ain't Home" produced by Lucy Pearl and ATCQ's ( reminding a little of "Bonita Applebum") Ali Shaheed Muhammad.  

Introducing Muddy Waters and Big Mama Thornton blues influences to a new generation with her trademark "I'll fall but I'll knuckle up and fight back" style, she puts her own twist on affairs of the heart- peacing out when it's not working, pledging dedication when it is and "getting some" when needed. This won't prevent the Adele, Duffy and Amy Winehouse comparisons as if there is only one female blueprint to follow for retro-soul.  This striking album, which hits like an uppercut at times, is def good enough to stand out among that brokenhearted soul sisterhood. "365 days", she made us wait but "move like u stole it" and check this out now.

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