The debut solo album from Blues Traveler frontman John Popper is a disappointment, to say the least. While "Zygote" features the familiar and pleasing sound of Popper's hearty voice, it lacks the individuality and risk-taking one expects from a solo effort. Rather than putting Popper's harmonica riffs amid an adventurous musical menu, the 12 tracks sound instead like weak-kneed Blues Traveler.
The one saving grace to "Zygote" is the lyrics. Popper has an undeniably smart and catchy way with words, which read like poetry. But combining them with substandard backing music creates a confusing mess. "Zygote" is an unimaginative, lackadaisical effort from the big man.
