Although their 2009 "Nightfriend of Zoobombs" album featured a dozen of Zoobombs' "greatest hits" completely rearranged and rerecorded, "The Sweet Passion" is the quartet's first proper studio full-length since 2006's "B*B*B." The Tokyo rock stalwarts recorded "The Sweet Passion" in Oakland, California, with producer Greg Ashley (from the underground psych-rock band Gris Gris) and in Japan.
"The Sweet Passion" is a far trippier affair than the eclectic, poppy "*B*B*B." And while these new tracks may take more plays to hook listeners, the extra effort has a solid payoff as Zoobombs have crafted a great sonic journey full of lava lamp- and black-light-worthy anthems.
"The Sweet Passion" opens with the disc's lead single, "Plasticity." The restrained cut is filled with taut rhythms that threaten to explode into one of the noisy, free-wheeling jams that often dominate Zoobombs' renowned live performances. Awesome spacey guitar riffs, organ and tambourine make up "Big Picture," with Don Matsuo's 60s-inspired lyrics of "We gotta see, gotta see, everybody must be free" adding even more of a retro edge to the proceedings.