Don't take our word for it ...

This is what some other folks think of
"A Change From Within".

 Revised January 2002

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Another MASTERPIECE of vocal Harmony destined for Greatness...

Yes my friends that long awaited and eagerly anticipated second CD release "A Change From Within" from Z-PLAN has finally come to light and surfaced at CD Baby's music site. This amazingly talented group of musicians, writers, and singers spearheaded by Pete Hodson have again unleashed their superb vocal chemistry and created a powerful CD that will certainly captivate your senses and thrill your soul... The opening number "A Change From Within" sets the mood of the Album and showcases the strong vocal harmony that has become Z-PLAN's award-winning TRADEMARK. My favorite song and, in my opinion, the best cut on the CD is "Carrie Ann". This number glistens with powerful harmony and shadows of CSN&Y are quite apparent throughout the song, but what stands out in my mind, is the unique blending of guitar, voice, and percussion. Dean Christiano, Z-Plan's drummer, really shines on this song and provides perfect timing for the mixing of voice and guitar. Timing is the perfect element in the production of a good song and Dean Christiano's drumming is the reason why the vocals and guitar playing blend together so well on this number. He is one of the best drummers in the business.... There are also some pleasant surprises on this album. Bill Welch has a nice little acoustic solo guitar piece called "Bill's Diddy" that showcases his extraordinary guitar playing. Pete Hodson told me this number was recorded in the studio on the second take and I quote Pete when he says, "Bill is that good!" Listen to it and judge for yourselves folks..... The second surprise is the last song on the CD. "Loose Lips" is a lively little swing number that spotlights the Band's versatality. These guys can play anything! The mark of a good Band is the ability to diversify their music styles and be creative. This musical effort by Z-PLAN demonstrates how good their sound really is and I believe they are well on their way to becoming a major influence in the Music industry. If you're tired of that same old scream into the microphone, hip-hop, RAP infested music that has flooded the Radio Stations and Music Stores in the recent years, then I suggest you free yourself from the chains of bad music and surround yourself with the refreshing sound of Z-PLAN! If you are a new-comer to Z-PLAN's music, then may I suggest you purchase both of their albums from CD Baby. "Circus" is their first release and "A Change From Within", their second effort, is now on sale. These two Albums compliment each other and will enhance your musical taste like Salt and Pepper. If you are already a fan of Z-PLAN, don't hesitate, order this CD today, and don't forget to pass the word about Z-PLAN and CD Baby to your friends. It would be a crime to keep this quality music to yourself, so spread the word and let others enjoy the sweet sound of Z-PLAN....

Bob Pebbler December 2001

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Strutter'zine

A few years ago I discussed ZPLAN's debut CD and remember it was a good progressive melodic rockalbum, in the style of RUSH. Now, the band has released a new CD, entitled 'A change from within'. The playing length is only 37 minutes, but happily, the included music is quality progressive rock, although it sounded a bit poppy here and there, and also some modern influences has slipped through ZPLAN's music nowadays. Especially the first 5 songs were a bit calm, not unlike YES and RUSH when they slow things down. Much better is the great semi melodic rockballad "Carrie Ann", a song with a great chorus a la STYX, NIGHT RANGER, DAMN YANKEES). Some more steps away from Progressive rock are the poppy westcoast song "Real love" and the Jazzy "Loose lips". More interesting are the good semi progressive AOR tune "Forgiveness" and the STYX orientated "A million miles away". I had expected a bit more, but well, if you enjoy the calmer sounds of RUSH and YES, with a bit ZEBRA and STYX mixed into some songs, while also having some other musical styles on a few occasions, then do check out ZPLAN's new CD 'A change fromn within'.
(Points: 7.5 out of 10)

Gabor Kleinbloesem
Editor of Strutter'zine January 2002

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AOR Website / Flash Magazine

I met Z Plan a couple of years ago when this site was still an idea in my mind, and their debut album "Circus" impressed me a lot, also thanks to the help provided to the band by master Jeff Cannata. Now Z Plan are back again with ten new songs and the most disappointment is that "A Change From Within" is long less than fourty minutes, even if we find again Cannata and the still line-up consisting of Pete Hodson (vc, gt, keyb), Bill Welch (vc, gt), Larry Nero (vc), Dean Christiano (dr), Ed Merola (bs) and Mario Dinoto (keyb).
The cd is opened by the titletrack, a kind of bolero revisited in a more prog key, finding in the vocals its most prominent aspect, but the whole affair (and the same goes for the remaining tracks) turns around the precise and fantastic drumming of Dean that drives the songs and gives a great dynamic sense.
With "Our Little World" we taste a mutable prog rock with a strong refrain facing a calmer verse, but it’s with "Carrie Ann" that Z Plan knocks their first upper cut. This song, introduced by the short instrumental "Bill’s Diddy" by the lonely Welch performing a nice waving of acoustic guitars that recalled to me of Hot Tuna, is a semi-ballad with beautiful voices and an intense refrain stolen to Styx and Night Ranger, and maybe "Carrie Ann" is the best track on offer.
Among the songs more distant from the main prog Z Plan influences we find "Real Love" and its thin westcoast melodies, "A million miles away" with those echoes of Styx of the ‘70s and, above all, the cheerful swing "Loose Lips" witnessing the great artistic versatility of these boys.
"Forgiveness", between AOR and Prog rock, is linked with the atmospheres of "Circus" and makes "ACFW" an album to watch if you have a wide and without prejudice approach to music.

(Points: 85 out of 100)

Andrea Bertamino
Flash Magazine, February 2002

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FireWorks / UK

I reviewed the debut album from Z Plan way back in '99 for Sound Barrier magazine, the album was produced by Jeff Cannata and was a delicious blend of melodic rock.
It's good to see independent bands coming up with albums that are sometimes better than label based releases. It is still very melodic but the band have matured in their style, thus the album comes across in a nu breed vein and will please fans of bands like Mars Electric through to The Rembrandts as well as fans of pure melodic rock.
From the brilliant hooks of 'A Million Miles Away', 'Where's The Party' through to sincere balladic moments like 'Carrie Ann' and the amazing AOR/ballad of 'Forgiveness' which is my favourite cut. There's even a bit of jazz swing on 'Loose Lips' which reminds me of the Jim Carrey scenes in the film The Mask. Overall Z Plan have released another fine album which is well worth checking out.

Nicky Baldrian
Fireworks Magazine, March 2002

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