Lights Out Zoltar!

Gemma Ray | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 27, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bronzerat Records
• ASIN: B002AGI5VS
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,122 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Cinematic siren busts out with classy swagger.

Gemma Ray has a dramatic flair for jarring contrasts -- chanting the title of 'Tough Love' in a shell-shocked deadpan as a toy piano plunks in the background or perfectly copping Beach Boys style wooos in 'Fist of a Flower'. Had Phil Spector forced his girl groups in a more noir-soundtrack direction, this might've been the result. Ray has a truly impressive feel for vintage pop flourishes, layered to lavish effect. And all those details are what you're supposed to be paying attention to, right up until the blade hits your back. --Spin Magazine

Product Description

Still in her 20s, the beautiful and talented Gemma Ray has matured to become one of the UK's most interesting and gifted artists. Her ethereal pop-noir draws on 50's and 60's ballads, country, blues and soul, all given a sprinkling of 21st century magic dust. Jimmy Page and Nick Cave are both ardent fans.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GEMMA RAY 'Lights Out Zoltar!', October 9, 2010

By 

R. Cooper - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lights Out Zoltar! (Audio CD)

Gemma's 4th album opens at a high velocity via a brilliant '100mph (In 2nd Gear)' with that attractive vocal steering between cuteness & soulfulness...a really strong beginning, with then things dropping into 1st gear through the next three 'Snuck A Peek', 'Tough Love' (some French here), 'Fist Of A Flower' with each, even if not outstanding, certainly pleasant. Proceedings pick up again via the strong & strange '1952' ("I'll break every bone in you - been aching for you to - ever since 1952"). Then follows another highlight '(You Got Me In A) Death Roll' similar to what we'd expect from Gemma reminding of her 'Navy Blues' period with images of the sea ("trying to steal my soul into the sea") & that black heavy murky grinding bluesy massive acoustic guitar backing, always with fine melodic & atmospheric touches - some very original style harmonies here. 'Goody Hoo' is gentler & reminds of a soft Salad; 'No Water' begins as a gentle piece but then becomes almost hymn like via its strong melodic build-up with some fine lyrics. This is followed by the soulful 'Dig Me A River' which seems to continue Gemma's theme of the sea or at least of going somewhere. 'If You Want To Rock'n'Roll' is fragile & mysterious & not r'n'r at all, whilst 'Something Shifted' with some original style harmonies & backing creates a powerful mood - emotional & is another strong number (as in many here there are some pretty violin/cello bits), then final piece 'So Do I' which calmly takes the album through to its end. Better than 'The Leader' and so fasten seatbelts for melodic originality, beautiful cute accent vocals, stupendous bottleneck harmony rocket guitar playing at full throttle, & excellent production quality.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Indie pop at a higher level, December 15, 2009

By 

redman755 "redman755" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lights Out Zoltar! (Audio CD)

This music is impossible to categorize. On the surface, you'll find intelligent songwriting and highly diverse soundscapes. Below the surface you'll find dark lyrics painting pictures of a worn emotions and far-away places. You get the psychedelic orchestrations of "Snuck a Peek" and minimalist psychedelia of "Dig Me a River" to the Field Music / Bishop Allen-like indie pop of "Tough Love". Then, off to the dark, Phil Spector-like arrangement of "Fist of a Flower" and the film-score worthy mood piece "Goody Hoo". The radio-friendly and Americana-tinged tracks "100 MPH (in 2nd gear)" and "No Water" will make you surprised you're listening to a British songwriter. Indie rock has reached a new level with Gemma Ray's debut release. For any fan of Americana, 60's pop, or retro-psychedelia, this album is highly recommended. Hoping there's lots more to come from Ms. Ray.

0 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars soft voice tough topics, December 10, 2009

By 

Zeldie Stuart "in the know" (fort lee, nj USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lights Out Zoltar! (Audio CD)

Dont love Gemma ray; she has a soft voice; nothing outstanding or recognizable; somewhat blends into other voices you;ve heard; but the themes in her songs have some tough topics going on. Many of the songs sounds the same.