Customer Reviews

Lights Out Zoltar! [Vinyl]

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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.

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.

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.