This long-delayed solo debut from the former Del Fuegos' guitarist (and brother of that band's singer turned solo artist, Dan) is more than worth the wait. This is an expansive display of the younger Zanes's distinctive so... more »ngwriting, compelling viewpoints, and almost embarrassing wealth of pop-smart hooks and melodic riches. Though occasionally cloaked in lo-fi production conceits, Zanes's bright pop muse simply won't be denied, whether framed by the spare, folksy acoustic settings of "First on the Moon," "Did You Recognize My Love"'s jazzy cabaret, or the staccato, McCartney-meets-XTC guitar charms of "If You Could Stay." With musicians such as Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, and Morphine's Billy Conway lending deft support, Zanes isn't afraid to let his quiet, plaintive voice float across the occasional lush orchestral arrangement, or evoke a playfully off-kilter Stax-meets-exotica charm on "Hey Girl." Tracks like "Everybody Loves You" and "Main Street" almost seem to strain at their alt-pop moorings, but Zanes simply soars elsewhere on the record. --Jerry McCulley« less
This long-delayed solo debut from the former Del Fuegos' guitarist (and brother of that band's singer turned solo artist, Dan) is more than worth the wait. This is an expansive display of the younger Zanes's distinctive songwriting, compelling viewpoints, and almost embarrassing wealth of pop-smart hooks and melodic riches. Though occasionally cloaked in lo-fi production conceits, Zanes's bright pop muse simply won't be denied, whether framed by the spare, folksy acoustic settings of "First on the Moon," "Did You Recognize My Love"'s jazzy cabaret, or the staccato, McCartney-meets-XTC guitar charms of "If You Could Stay." With musicians such as Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, and Morphine's Billy Conway lending deft support, Zanes isn't afraid to let his quiet, plaintive voice float across the occasional lush orchestral arrangement, or evoke a playfully off-kilter Stax-meets-exotica charm on "Hey Girl." Tracks like "Everybody Loves You" and "Main Street" almost seem to strain at their alt-pop moorings, but Zanes simply soars elsewhere on the record. --Jerry McCulley
"Wow! I'm a long-time Del Fuegos fan, but I had no idea that Warren Zanes had this kind of record in him. Hooks abound, as well as wonderful and interesting production touches, and nice turns from guests like Emmylou Harris. Some other records come to mind - a soulful "Surf's Up", "Imperial Bedroom", maybe - but Warren has created a soulful, inspired(I'm tempted to use the m word here - masterpiece - but will restrain myself)record unique unto itself. Check it out."
Great disc -- excellent music appeals to all
E. Coburn | Boston, MA United States | 05/14/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whether or not you're a Del Fuegos fan (like me) you'll like Warren Zane's work on Memory Girls. It's got the rock sensibility that makes the Fuego's music so appealing to me combined with a 60's pop strain that grabs my wife and kids and has them grooving on it right along with me. Welcome back Warren. It's been too long."
Buy it
jmahoney77 | Concord, NH | 04/20/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a terrific record... a real keeper. I heard "Hey Girl" on my great hometown radio station (WMWV FM, North Conway, NH)-- perfect horns, sharp lyrics and vocals over a sly hip-hop/funk beat... it sounded like a hit single to me but I didn't know the artist at the time. It was lodged in my brain for days, and once I found out who it was I was more convinced I needed to get the CD. So glad I did. Memory Girls is diverse, alive, and most of all fun. This record has been a remarkably effective audio serotonin booster in the car this weekend, and seems one of those records that gets better with more listens. I'm telling people about it. I love getting evangelic about music... Buy it!"
A wonderful gem of an album
p_bauer | Los Angeles, CA | 03/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"`Memory Girls' is a gem of an album, brimming with a sort of sophisticated pop brilliance that grabs your attention from the very first listen. The sound of Warren Zanes captures a rock-folk-pop ambience, which is at times light-hearted, and at times melancholic, but always with a comfortable air of familiarity. The cd opens with "Everybody Loves You," which is a catchy, upbeat song, while "Scrapbook" lends itself as a heartfelt memoir of his past relationships, with a great harmony from Emmylou Harris. "Hey Girl" is my favorite on the album, the kind of song that gets stuck in your head and stays there the entire day. `Memory Girls' is a great debut by Warren, and I highly recommend it."
The kind of record they don't make any more...
p_bauer | 03/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There's something incredibly old-fashioned about this album, and I mean that in the best possible way. It's coherent, fully realized, beautifully played and produced, and it's full to bursting point with memorable songs. The album doesn't fit in with any fashionable trend (alt-country? americana? no, not really), it simply exists in a world where pop songs are simple, loveable, catchy, tuneful, and lyrically interesting. A lot of the songs deal with growing up, getting older, moving on, settling down - and I've never heard these subjects dealt with so well. If you're under 25, you're unlikely to love this record. On the other hand, if you wish Ryan Adams would slow down for a while and make the great record that he definitely could, then...oh, Warren Zanes has already done it. Almost perfect!"