I had absolutely no idea what to expect from Michael Zapruder, a quick background check didn't really throw up much information to go on and to be honest I was just relying on the fact that the artwork looked quite funky and colourful. It gave me hope that this was going to be something good, new, and interesting.

'Dragon Chinese Cocktail Horoscope' is first off (what a title). It's like the worst fortune cookie ever as it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I'd imagine there is some deep hidden meaning that only Buddhist's can decipher but I don't look good in orange robes so I've personally got no idea! The music is a vast arrangement. with the lyrical nous of the finest singer-songwriters. Though Michael Zapruder may be used to this comparison I'm afraid I'm going to have to use it as it's very pertinent - Michael Zapruder is very much like a less flamboyant Rufus Wainwright, with more restraint.


Tracks like 'Lucy's Handmade Paper' bubble with intricate weaves of sound across a shimmering soundtrack; whilst, 'Ad's For Feelings' takes a more jaunty ride that includes flute solos which actually accentuate the track creating a very Beck-esque tune. The star of the show has to be 'Bang On A Drum' with it's tribal themes and beats coupled with some disturbing lines such as "Killing people is good business" and "Where the people get wild, buck wild/Getting angry at a chocolate child". It's the furor of drum beats that come in towards the end which create the sort of chant you'd boil Tom Hanks in a pot to! There are little lull moments to be found as well in haunting little melodic tracks such as 'White Raven Sails' and 'Can't We Bring You Home' before the fairground fantasy of 'Experimental Film' sees the album home.

'Dragon Chinese Cocktail Horoscope' has a troubadour feel about it and is certainly worth checking out for fans of Rufus Wainwright and Beck (which should be a lot of you out there). It also has the most awesome array of titles I have heard in a while and I'm sure that's a worthy enough reason too!