Eve Nevarre | Portland, OR United States | 10/09/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Remy Zero is a brilliant band and Villa Elaine is a brilliant album. I am amazed because these band members are pretty young, but they have amazing talent. It is rare to find quality music these days but Remy Zero are amazing lyricists, writers, and musicians. Villa Elaine is one of those albums that I have to close my eyes when I listen to it. It just happens. I get caught up in the music and the complexity of it and I tune out the rest of the world. "Gramarye" and "Yellow Light" are excellent driven tracks that in my opinion epitomize the Remy Zero sound. My favorite track on this album is the playful "Goodbye Little World". It is a fun song with a light sound and endearing lyrics."
Buy This!!!
C. L MacTavish | 08/01/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album made me want to cry. life in rain is a tear jerker. It's too bad this band broke up. I recomend all of their albums. If you havent had enough after those 3 discs, the two brothers from RZ have put out the first of 3 recordings under the band name Spartan Fidelity. Check it out."
Awesome!
Jeans Yoder | Yoder, KS | 06/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A guilty pleasure in my mix of cds is Villa Elaine. I sometimes just leave it in hoping I'd never get around to taking it out b/c it's that good. The best Remy Zero album to date."Hermes Bird" is a smooth relaxtion trip that fits perfectly at the top spot and the hit "Prophecy" is a welcome delight to your ears. It has a wonderful beat and almost mesmorizing chorus. "Life In the Rain" could very well be the best song by Remy Zero for it's eerily vocals and cool haunting sound. Almost like a floating sensation for 3 and a half minutes. "Hollow" picks up into a circus like anthem for 6 minutes w/ that patented like remy zero sound. A very fun song to put on whenever you need to cheer up is "Problem." Something sinister can be found in "Whither Vulcan" that caresses your ears to the fullest extent. "Gramarye" is a dark song that some may have heard. It's an adventure from start to finish. "Yellow Light" almost seems like a trip into the unknown where "Motorcycle" has a dreamlike quality to its sound. A brilliant song in "Fair" is somewhat depressing at first but sort of brings hope to you. "Goodbye Little World" is almost like a children's book being sung. This whole album may not be radio friendly, but every song is definately worth listening to. If you believe in real music, get Villa Elaine."
Finally a refreshing sound
ivanheau@aol.com | Vermont | 01/02/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have heard "Villa Elaine" by Remy Zero and am puzzled as to all of the comparisons to Radiohead. This sentiment never crossed my mind; and I know my rock. These guys are a wonderful blend of U2 and 70's Queen, and mostly the latter. They blend harmonious vocal changes, tempo changes, and bits of psychedelia in songs like Gramarye, Yellow Light, and Motorcycle. These lyrics are intelligible too, unlike 'head's Thom Yorke. I also hear a sort of return to high powered Brit arena rock like the Who and the Kinks: the Tates' vocals are distinct and in your face, all the while being backed by raw, roving guitar rhythms. Songs like Prophecy and Hollow are examples of this exciting retro feel. When this band chooses to be mellow, they might be at their best, too. Life in Rain is one of the most powerful ballads I've heard in quite a long time. Nothing sappy or radio-friendly, just clear and powerful vocals. Hermes Bird is a slower gem, too. It will be interesting too see how far this album gets in popularity. Oasis was hailed as the new Beatles; Blur was the retro Kinks, and I think Remy Zero is the neo-Queen. Them are MIGHTY big shoes to fill, though. I believe I even hear Brian May's guitar sound in Gramarye, certainly no mean feat. I bought this album today, having never heard of the band until hearing Prophecy a few weeks ago. I knew I would buy the CD. I was very surprised at how consistently good this effort is...no filler at all on Villa Elaine. After a few more listens I might even give them the full five star rating. I can't wait."
Remy Zero: Funny name, great band.
Ben Rowland | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 07/12/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Villa Elaine" is one of those rare albums that finds the perfect balance between hard and soft rock, not too hard and heavy, but lively enough to appeal to everyone. Everyone is compairing them to Radiohead and U2, and I can easily see how they are similar. What the first five songs on "Villa Elaine" remind me of, especially the vocals, is Jeff Buckley, who produced some of the finest pop melodies of the 90's. As a whole, this sounds like a record the Manic Street Preachers would have been proud to make. To be truthful, I bought this album without hearing the faintest note of it. They are the support act for the Manic Street Preachers (my favourite band) 1999 North American Tour, so I figured that I should find out who these guys are as well. It was a nice suprise. Every song is a story, equally engrossing and catchy. "Prophecy" is by far my favourite track. A rare pop record that is a cut above the mainstream."