Zoo Animal

Local trio Zoo Animal has been perched atop the Twin Cities indie pecking order for a few years now. The clout’s deserved, too, as the grungy-yet-sparse rockers have earned the respect while bucking indie clichés. They have an animal-ish band name and could be pegged as lo-fi, but they’re also Christians and don’t deal in irony. Over two LPs, the group has simply relied on the smoky, Cat Power-esque vocals of frontlady Holly Newsom aching their way over minimal guitar/bass/drum arrangements. Throw in some cunning pop sensibilities, and you’ve got an earnest product that’s built to endure ebbing and flowing fads of underground rock. 

Updated 10/05/2011