Reptilectric

Zoé | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 7, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Televisa Music
• ASIN: B001MVM0L8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,262 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #41 in Music > Latin Music > Urban > Latin Hip-Hop

Editorial Reviews

Perhaps the most successful band to emerge from Mexico City's bourgeoning rock scene, Zoé will release its fourth album, Reptilectric. Recorded with longtime producer Phil Vinall at the controls, Reptilectric is at once brash and tender, psychedelic and anthemic.

Upon its November release, Reptilectric debuted at the top of the Mexican pop albums chart and quickly earned gold certification. The Mexican press greeted Reptiletric with glowing accolades. The Mexican edition of Rolling Stone awarded the disc 4 ½ stars (of 5), calling it "one of the year's best albums." One can hear in Reptilectric the mark of Zoé's longtime producer, Phil Vinall, whose work with Radiohead, Pulp, Elastica and Placebo initially caught the group's attention early in their career together. Zoé invited Vinall to mix its self-titled 2001 debut album, and the band has placed its complete trust in the British producer ever since. "This album has his touch, 100%," says bassist Angel Mosqueda. "He has been our guru in many senses." Reptilectric's scope is captured in its title track, a David Bowie-inspired space oddity with driving guitars and ethereal vocals. Zoé continues to show its range throughout the album--from the dancefloor-friendly "Ultimos Dias" to the new-wave psychedelia of "No Hay Dolor."

Zoé formed in Mexico City in 1995, sharing a passion for the music of the Beatles, Placebo, The Cure and The Stone Roses. The band's 2001 debut helped create a loyal fan base that would grow exponentially with Zoé's 2003 album Rocanlover. The band began combining acoustic melodies with electronic textures, creating music that ranged from subtle to soaring. Vinall produced Zoé's 2006's Memo Rex Commander y el Corazon Atómico de la Via Lactea (Memo Rex Commander and the Atomic Heart of the Milky Way) which quickly went platinum and earned Zoé prominent billing at Latin music festivals including Vive Latini and Creamfields. Memo Rex... was also Zoé's first album to be released in the U.S.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rockin' Electric & Surreal Dream, April 18, 2009

By 

Vicky "distractanew" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reptilectric (Audio CD)

A thick and trippy sound with nice electronic ornamentation. A bit darker than their last album, but just as enjoyable and unique. I can't say that I have heard a mostly Spanish-language group that is doing the same thing. Other bands come close, but Zoe consistently deliver this dense shoegazey/electronic rock. While I personally do not find this album as beautifully expansive as the Memo Rex Commander... album (the songs on this album are more closely related to each other) it does have the same dreamy sonic landscapes and good hooks you can expect from Zoe. The vocals are just as delicious, but with a higher ratio of lyrics in Spanish, much like the first two albums, fyi. I definitely recommend this album if you heard any Zoe before or if you are a psych/shoegaze fan and maybe haven't delved into Spanish rock before. The Zoe Exitos best of is a great start for Zoe, or you can go backwards like I did from Memo Rex. Also, a personal plea: if you have this album and have a legitimate (likely favorable!) review, post it! I've no idea who this Angus McCloud thinks he is but I'm pretty peeved that he would be able to lower the rating of this album with such a pointless review. Hope this helps, and enjoy the music. =-) p.s. I understand Spanish but can't translate well; hence the English review, but if you comprehend the lyrics, they really reinforce the surreal quality of the music.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT ALBUM!!, January 20, 2009

By 

M. Rivera "closetherapy" (TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reptilectric (Audio CD)

I have been a follower of this band since their earlier days. This album is truly spectacular. They have such a unique sound. Their lyrics always have something to do with outer space, something metaphorical and deep. Its very difficult to compare the sound of this group because nothing really sounds like them, even though they have been compared to the Latin version in Depeche Mode. I really recommend this album to anyone that appreciates unique sounds and thoughtful lyrics. Zoe is undeniably the best Latin rock band out right now!!!! WONDERFUL!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST LATIN ROCK BAND Since SODA STEREO!!!!, June 17, 2009

By 

MAXBORT "max" (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reptilectric (Audio CD)

Definitely this's their best and most polished album so far.
I'm a big fan of Rock en Espanol and the first time I heard their 2005 song " The Dead" I knew right away that I was listening to a very special band. I was hooked instantly with their amazing sound and great vocals. Zoe is without a doubt the best Latin Rock band since the two legendary bands Soda Stereo and Heroes Del Silencio and Reptilectric is a Masterpiece in any language....

On a foot note: If you love and appreciate bands like Soda Stereo, I asure you that you will fall in love with this band forever.

Long Live ZOE!