Artist: Andy Zipf
Album: I Stole the Morning Sun EP
Label: Mono vs Stereo
Tracks: 7
Length: 31:19
Review by: Mike “Wrong Way” Leech

I feel kind of bad reviewing this album because I know that a lot of people out there would probably like it, but I just don’t. Here’s the thing... You know the band Train? The group of old guys in shiny dress shirts that sing “Meet Virginia” and “Calling All Angels”? Well if someone were to ask me what my least favorite band in the world was I think (after weighing their cons against those of Godsmack) I would eventually decide on Train. There’s just something about their ultra-glossy brand of adult contemporary rock that makes me want to kill myself. And when I listen to Andy Zipf, as hard as I try, I cannot fight off the comparisons to Train.

I will admit that I Stole the Morning Sun is a promising debut for Mr. Zipf. He has an excellent voice and certainly seems to know his way around a guitar. The album is full of mid-tempo acoustic rockers with introspective lyrics that are delivered with genuine honesty. The only problem is, like Train (shudder), Zipf settles for over produced, radio friendly, “leave your brain at the door” rock. There is nothing on this album that you haven’t already heard. Even when Zipf tries being creative by throwing in some drum machines or unusual vocal harmonies the songs still fall far below the line of ingenuity. Andy Zipf’s got heart. He’s also got a fair share of talent. He just needs to think long and hard about putting all his Train CD’s in the microwave.