You can tell a live band when you hear one. There’s something about the recording studio that just doesn’t capture the right vibrations, that energy. Zorch is one of those bands, and their recent album entitled Zzoorrcchh is one of those recordings. Listening to this album I can imagine how this Austin, Texas duo must set the stage on fire with their hyper-manic musical sense.

Zac Traeger (keyboardist/vocalist) and Shmu (drummer/vocalist) combine talents to make a twisted concoction of electronic beats and choruses that come across as mesmerizing and exhilarating in the same breath. In some spots, Zzoorrcchh is spectacularly reminiscent of early video game soundtracks, while on songs like “Cosmic Glass” the vocals court the old, multi-layered Beach Boys croon. This album is undeniably the product of relentless experimentation and passion. Traeger and Shmu touch bases with countless genres, somehow salvaging a totally new sound out of the wreckage.

Give Zzoorrcchh a chance and you just may find yourself craving the chance to lay witness to this chaotic concept live, on a stage with two crazy artistic musicians conquering the melee with keyboards and drum sticks.

(Sargent House, 1553 Curran Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026)