Hello Reader,
Welcome back. It’s been a minute, hope you’re doing well.
Today, we’re going to delve into Milwaukee-based singer-songwriter-producer who goes by the longstanding nickname of Zig. Born Aaron Zuege, he recently returned to Milwaukee after more than two decades away from the Cream City. He first spent 15 years in Seattle bands Give It To Me Rusty, Weightless, being part of the DIY venue The Ballard Mine, being a member of the Bushwick Book Club, and performing under the moniker Aaron Zig. The album’s press release picks up the next era of Zig’s journey, “In 2019, feeling financially pushed from their Seattle base of 19 years, Zig moved to Vermont, to be close to family after starting his own. Mere months later the pandemic emerged. In an evaporated housing market with a young child, under lockdown and knowing few, his family was unable to plant roots. Next, seeking multi-generational living, his family moved to Connecticut with his mother, a close companion in his life, who joined from Wisconsin. This again was not meant to be, as Zig’s mother passed away only months after they moved in together, following a precipitous and unforeseen illness.” The five years since have been turbulent for Zig and his family but rediscovering old friends and family in Milwaukee in the past couple of years was truly the perfect welcoming home. In 2023, he released a lovely tribute song to his late mother.
Delving into Zig’s discography and you’ll find two full length albums, the first being 2014’s The Medicine’s Kicking In. His other release being Cranium Miners Blues (2007). In 2013 Zig and Noah Dassel gave voices to Seattle’s unsheltered with the intent to destigmatize by empowering their experience through their own words and song. The group, Give It To Me Rusty released the album Pioneer Square Recordings and it’s a fascinating listen.
And on October 31st for your listening pleasure via Zig’s album specific Bandcamp page comes his third full length album, Big Brained Apes On A Rock In Space. From the album’s press release, Zig says, “Surprisingly, this is not an album centered on loss. It does confront big themes of death, the ephemeral nature of life, love and companionship, but approaches these subjects with a light heart, sly humor, and an embrace of the absurdity of life. Upon reflection, Zig says, ‘The experiences of the past few years didn’t harden my heart. Painfully, they opened me to how fragile life is. Do you want to enjoy these days as best you can, or do you want to forever swim upriver? I was tired of the fight and was ready to enjoy what is, as it is.'” If that inviting and intriguing description, doesn’t have you curious, what will it take?
Giving credit where it’s due. Big Brained Apes On A Rock In Space album credits:
- Zig – wrote, recorded and produced the album. Also played guitar, sang lead and harmony vocals, and added keyboard layers
- Esteban Rotunno – Drums
- Phil Gardiner – piano, organ, Wurlitzer
- Matthew Edwards – Upright bass
- Marco Rovinelli – Drums
- Tekla Waterfield – backing vocals
- Jessie Melton – backing vocals
- Raffaella – backing vocals
- Luc Suarez – pedal steel
And now for some album hype!
In the album’s press release, Zig left us this sentiment, “My hope is that the refuge and release these songs provided me can go forward with the listener, and the album can, in some small way, give them a moment of freedom.”
Overall, Big Brained Apes On A Rock In Space is a comprehensive, and good work of art. It’s arguably Zig’s best album to date due to the quality of songwriting, production, musicianship and compositions. All get their moments to shine individually but also on each song throughout this album. The album is not exclusive to one genre of similar structure and that’s for the best. The composition choices are varied and have some diversity in the best ways, and all mesh well together to create a lovely listening experience. There are a lot of feel-good vibes within the songs due to melody choices. The songwriting is excellent and a few of the themes explore, question, and examine life and situations in a manner you can not only follow along with but also relate to. Love and death are two of those common themes. Zig’s a talented vocalist as well, and within this album he employs matching his vocals with rhythm to create incredible pacing and memorable compositions. There are plenty of fantastic harmonies created via additional vocalists in the background, that not only add so many to those songs but create earworms that you’ll be singing along to. Kudos to the talented musicians that also played on this album, every one of you contributed significantly to the songs you were on! This album is further proof that Zig is an excellent producer and album composer and arranger as well. I’m sure while listening you’ll come away with the same sentiments.
The titular song, “Big Brained Apes On A Rock In Space” is a fantastic tone setter for the remainder of the album. The song features contemplative lyrics with a good deal of wit. They examine a myriad of things from medication, existence and more day-to-day human thoughts, ending with a core difference that separates humans from others, ‘we are free’ over the top of a lively, summery feel-good melody that consists of prominent drums and bass guitar that flows seamlessly with Zig’s vocal delivery.
“Quiet My Soul” begins with some funk and soulful grooves. As good as the bass was on the previous song, it gets improved upon in this melody. Truly a shining moment. And the beat remains consistently strong throughout this song. The drums and organ also get their moments to shine both will solos and as part of a great rhythm section. The lyrics employ a wonderful use of refrain to drive the message home through repetition while also maintaining a message of balance.
The next song, “Been Played The Fool” will also get you dancing. If you’re listening at home, the dance party is in full swing at this point. For many the rhythm will trigger memories of Latin grooves. There are elements in the composition that make me envision hearing this song at a club in Cuba for instance. The incorporation of harmonious backing vocals is a perfect touch to this song. They pair well with Zig’s tone and vocal delivery pacing. The lyrics are told from the perspective of someone who was deeply in love and still thinking about that person even though they are no longer romantically involved.
Which is followed up by the song “Send For Me” which is a real slower burner of a song. Definitely not slow enough for you to get bored and lose interest but the melody is significant different than the previous two songs. Bass, and a wonderfully funky drumbeat serve as a solid foundation and anchoring point. That melody works well when paired with deeply explorative lyrics that ask an often thought about then asked question ‘When your day is done And your time has come, Whose gonna hold you in their arms?’
“Grow With Me” has lyrics that draw attention to the commonality within day-to-day life with a romantic partner. Those moments that all humans experience but might not sit down and craft a song about. I’m grateful that Zig did. He created a beautiful song, one that serves the current era and also will stand the test of time. The song has a fittingly simplistic melody of acoustic guitar and Zig’s wistful vocal delivery.
The next song, “Give Me Your Room, Give Me Tonight” features sweetly delivered vocals from Zig and the backing harmonies that serve as the chorus to lovely effect. The use of and execution of the backing vocals really adds a beautiful feel to this song. The lyrics showcase taking the time for each other in a romantic partnership that produces positive results of a reinvigorated romance. Kudos to Phil Gardiner for his musical performance on this song, for properly tickling the ivories. The use of and execution of the backing vocals really adds a beautiful feel to this song.
Several elements in the next song “Going Over Jordan In A Cadillac” will transplant you to songs of the past. And multiple genres too. Perhaps it’s the fingerpicking guitar. Or the gospel-like harmonies. Or the mention of the word Cadillac. Elvis may come to mind. And the blues genre, gospel too. Zig’s notes for this song are delightful, “Living abroad in Ghana for a year, Zig was able to see firsthand the custom coffin makers famed for their inventive creations. This seemed an apt metaphor for living with flair and going out with a bang.” The lyrics aren’t over the top morose and do indeed match that intended vibe with a bit of flair. The titular choral refrain envelops your ears, feeling like a nice hug. Which really hammers the title, home.
The lyrics within “Why We Gonna Wait All Night?” plant the setting within France on a restless adventure with some romantic fun that concludes with some reminiscing. Some of the lyrics are in French, an intentional nod to the legendary Serge Gainsbourg. The melody moves and Zig’s vocal delivery matches in a pop music genre manner with some fabulous bass and organ work. It moves and grooves well.
“Can’t Push A River” opens with some wonderful noise. The melody itself is soon led by a drumbeat that is enhanced with bass and guitar progressions. The lyrics take advantage of the moment, after the narrator literally sees his own reflection. He changes course, resolving to improve things for himself.
“Walking In The Light” was originally recorded as an homage to Zig’s mother. The lyrics remain a lovely, well-crafted tribute. This version has a more upbeat, twang to its melody. The choral refrain is perfect balance to the melody. The organ and keys really move the melody forward in the best ways. Kudos.
The final song on the album, “Acoustic Apes” serves as a nice bookend. It is the acoustic guitar, fingerpicking version of the opening song. The emanating vibe created by this instrumentation choice is sweet. It becomes a one-on-one session with Zig singing into your ears.
Big Brained Apes On A Rock In Space gets 4 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. It’s a good album overall, better than most released in 2024. To be more specific, I think this album slides well into the 80th-83rd percentile. There’s a lot to like, including the musicianship, songwriting and vocal performances. The production is damn good as well. The best way to purchase this is via the Bandcamp link, so please do so. Add it to your collection!
Big Brained Apes On A Rock In Space Track listing (song length)
- Big Brained Apes On A Rock In Space (3:41)
- Quiet My Soul (2:37)
- Been Played The Fool (2:41)
- Send For Me (3:56)
- Grow With Me (2:45)
- Give Me Your Room, Give Me Tonight (4:05)
- Going Over Jordan In A Cadillac (2:29)
- Why We Gonna Wait All Night? (4:17)
- Can’t Push A River (3:11)
- Walking In The Light (3:34)
- Acoustic Apes (3:31)
Total runtime: 36:47
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. The listening process with Big Brained Apes On A Rock In Space will take you a little more than a half hour. A little more than an hour if you listen twice back-to-back. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on this album.
Zig’s website is linked right here. On his Instagram Reels page he talks about each song off of the album. I love this idea, and I think you will too. Since you liked what you heard, once again, here’s his Bandcamp page with a deep catalog of tunes.
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
