Band : One Day As A Lion
Album : One Day As A Lion [EP]
Release Year : 2008
Genre : Rapcore / Rock / Experimental
Tracklist :
1. Wild International
2. Ocean View
3. Last Letter
4. If You Fear Dying
5. One Day As A Lion
2. Ocean View
3. Last Letter
4. If You Fear Dying
5. One Day As A Lion
One Day as a Lion, as this duo will openly state, comes from a quote: “It's better to live one day as a lion, than a thousand years as a lamb.” Well, as many know, Zack de la Rocha has spent more than a day roaring like a lion over the top of Rage Against the Machine, and, following their breakup, further collaborations. This project, however, may be a one-off project, the combination of de la Rocha and former Mars Volta drummer Jon Theodore. The project marks the first major output from de la Rocha since the breakup of Rage Against the Machine, despite working on a solo album following that breakup and making a reported 20 tracks with Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. Perhaps it is the brevity, the spontaneity of this project that allowed it to flourish as far as a full public release.
The combination of Theodore and de la Rocha raises some questions, however. While Theodore is a ridiculously talented drummer (listen to Amputecture), would he be able to stay behind de la Rocha, an inherently different vocalist than Cedric Bixler-Zavala. Addressing that issue, Theodore plays remarkably constrained, with creative yet simple grooves that allow de la Rocha to remain in the forefront for nearly the entire EP. Yet in the few moments where he gets a chance to shine, he reminds listeners that he is one of the most dynamic drummers around, able to change to feel of a song on the fly. For example, closer and title track, perhaps the duo's central motto in song, “One Day as a Lion” has multiple, separate grooves that alone distinguish the sections of the song.
The newest, most eyebrow-raising side of this collaboration, however, is the newfound role of Zack de la Rocha, taking a seat behind the keyboards. He plays with one sound on nearly the entire album which, all in all, sounds like a keyboard trying to imitate Tom Morello. Although incorporating an instrument never found in RATM's music, de la Rocha makes the keyboard the most reminiscent quality of the RATM on the album. Yet he demonstrates no real proficiency on the keyboard, he just provides some sense of melodic material, although most times acts as noise more than anything else. So with Theodore playing under de la Rocha, and the keyboards doing little to impress, de la Rocha's verses carry most of the EP.
The combination of Theodore and de la Rocha raises some questions, however. While Theodore is a ridiculously talented drummer (listen to Amputecture), would he be able to stay behind de la Rocha, an inherently different vocalist than Cedric Bixler-Zavala. Addressing that issue, Theodore plays remarkably constrained, with creative yet simple grooves that allow de la Rocha to remain in the forefront for nearly the entire EP. Yet in the few moments where he gets a chance to shine, he reminds listeners that he is one of the most dynamic drummers around, able to change to feel of a song on the fly. For example, closer and title track, perhaps the duo's central motto in song, “One Day as a Lion” has multiple, separate grooves that alone distinguish the sections of the song.
The newest, most eyebrow-raising side of this collaboration, however, is the newfound role of Zack de la Rocha, taking a seat behind the keyboards. He plays with one sound on nearly the entire album which, all in all, sounds like a keyboard trying to imitate Tom Morello. Although incorporating an instrument never found in RATM's music, de la Rocha makes the keyboard the most reminiscent quality of the RATM on the album. Yet he demonstrates no real proficiency on the keyboard, he just provides some sense of melodic material, although most times acts as noise more than anything else. So with Theodore playing under de la Rocha, and the keyboards doing little to impress, de la Rocha's verses carry most of the EP.
To fully understand One Day as a Lion, a listener must keep in mind the spontaneity and mindset of the project. The sound quality is, by all accounts, mediocre, but the raw nature of the music reflects the “one day” aspect of their motto. Mixed by Mario C, the album's sound certainly draws from his Beastie Boys experience. Hopefully, however, de la Rocha can muster the confidence and strength to finish his dream of a fully produced solo album. In a time where political music needs a leader, perhaps his vision could light a fire again like it did over a decade ago. This is, at least, a start.
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