Sabra Sounds

Six years after his last solo release, Eran Zur is back with his fifth album.

By VIVA SARAH PRESS
eran zur disk 88 298 (photo credit: )
eran zur disk 88 298
(photo credit: )
ERAN ZUR Cutting in the Golden Section NMC Six years after his last solo release, Eran Zur is back with his fifth album. Starting with "Galgal," the album's opening song, Zur proves he's still got groove, blending funky piano lines with a drum-guitar-synthesizer theme. The first two songs on Golden Section continue with the sexually-themed lyrics of Zur's previous efforts, with "Galgal" (Wheel) describing a man's aggression toward a woman and the provocative "HaJeans Hanemuchim" (Low Jeans) imagining a jealous husband forcing himself on the wife he's grown to mistrust. The album brightens considerably after its two opening songs, with Zur expressing contentment over his current status as the married father of two. "From the warmth inside of you, what was a bud became a child," he sings on "Lamrashut Hamita," one of the sweeter songs on the album. "Ken Letzipor" (Yes to the Bird) proves another charming number, this one enhanced by a pleasant melody and memorable backup vocals provided by Dana Marbach. Zur wavers between ballads and rock songs on Golden Section, proving he can perform both alternative and mainstream offerings. One of the album's standout ballads is a political track, "Al Kav Ha'imut" (On the Confrontation Line), a moving tune about struggles over land with lyrics penned by Inbal Perlmutter before her death in a car accident a decade ago. Enhanced by a wicked guitar solo, the lyrics remain poignant and relevant years after Perlmutter's death. Zur wrote lyrics and composed the music for nine of the 12 tracks on the album, in places also using lyrics by Yehoshua Sobol and Naim Araidi. Guest musicians include Shlomi Shaban, Yoni Bloch and Korin Allal. Golden Section is actually a double release, with a second CD including five alternate versions of Zur songs, among them previous hit "Ratuv Ve'cham." Electronica music added by the group Bonna Music adds variety to several of the disc's rock tracks, and the collection as a whole shows that Zur is still in top form both lyrically and musically. Various Artists 'The Bubble': Soundtrack Earsay The soundtrack to Eytan Fox's latest movie, The Bubble, is a bit of an anomaly: featuring mostly Israelis, the album is performed entirely in English. Fox's professional and romantic partner, Gal Uchovsky - who co-wrote the film's script - produced the disc. Widely considered Israel's most influential rock critic, Uchovsky has selected a number of quality alternative rock songs for the film's soundtrack, with works by international artists including are Bright Eyes' "First Day of My Life," Nada Surf's "Always Love" and Belle & Sebastian's "Woman's Realm." Israeli pop hero Ivri Lider offers three songs on the disc, including an heartwarming rendition of the Gershwin classic "The Man I Love." Soulful Israeli-French singer Keren Ann pitches in with two tracks, "Chelsea Burns" and "Sit in the Sun." Uchovsky also turned to local alternative rock performers Amit Erez and Jay Walk Snail for original songs. The electronica song "Day Out/Close to You" by Antiquex was written specifically for The Bubble, and can't be found anywhere besides the film's soundtrack. The skillfully produced track reflects the skills that have led Israeli DJs to increasing prominence on the global electronica scene. Despite its mix of styles, the soundtrack offers a particularly pleasant taste of the growing indie music scene, both here in Israel and overseas.