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Album Details
- Artist: Marlowe Grey
- Album: Zoa
- Label: indie
- Year of Release: 2008
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: dscanland on 2008-10-20
RecommendMarlowe Grey is a New York based rock band that thrives on the DIY ethic. Zoa is their debut album and it is quite adventurous and should get the group some attention. Some songs like "Out In The Open" seem like power rock songs tamed down. I'm not sure if it's in the production but it does seem like the song is lacking a little more of the power. That occurred again on "Liz Song In C". The vocalist just wasn't powerful enough or the mix was a little off.
Where the band excels is in tracks like "The Lincoln Tunnel", more in the experimental realm. It's a song that reveals more upon each listen in intricate layers. Even on the quieter "The Actress" they showcase the vocalist, who has one of those voices where you just can't quite place, even though you've heard it before. "Mismatch" seemed like an appropriate title. I didn't care for this track at all. It just felt like a throwaway without any hooks whatsoever.
One complaint I have about Zoa is that they use way too much reverb on the vocals. Reverb is usually used to hide the fact that the vocalist is not quite up to par. But it sounds like this guy knows his stuff, even if he does have a bit of a limiting range. I found some of the songs got boring after the 3-4 minute mark, most of the songs are over 4 minutes. There is a lot on Zoa to grab onto so give Marlowe Grey a shot and see where it takes you. I think the band has some maturing to do and some studio learning as well. But Zoa is indeed a great start for this New York band.
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Tell us why this album is great or sucks ass, or correct the reviewer. If you write enough quality reviews you may find yourself on the editorial staff.
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Log In or Register to Rate Albumson 2008-10-14 dscanland Said:
Marlow Grey can still be in this thing. With 1500 myspace friends you should be able to get 100 out to vote. Or is this like an American Election where everyone just takes it for granted.
Rating: 6/10
on 2008-09-24 discodog62 Said:
This Album is just AWSOME! Just what I have been looking for. I really like the lead singers voice. The uniqueness of sounds and tones really gets you. I love their sound!!!!
Rating: 9/10
on 2008-09-23 emilyczupak Said:
I purchased one of these CD's and was elegantly surprised. I kind of gave up on most music, so this one was refreshing to hear.
Rating: 9/10
on 2008-09-18 melissamarie Said:
Woo hoo!!! Good luck bro! Love ya, you guys rock! Mike, your guitar playing on this album alone is awesome!
Rating: 10/10
on 2008-09-17 briang Said:
This is a really good debut. I tend to like harder stuff, but there is substance in this album. Keep an eye for MGrey!
Rating: 10/10
Review:
on 2008-09-17 Big Baby Fratelli Said:
Meticulously crafted and powerfully written, Zoa is an intense ride that surpasses all your desires and leaves you wanting more. Exquisite guitar work is expertly fused with powerfully moving vocals with neither ever upstaging the other.
The opening track "Sarcastic" sets the pace for this elite blend of catchy rock numbers such as "Half-Full Glass" and "Out in the Open" with strikingly honest, yet beautifully arranged, songs such as "The Actress" and "Liz Song in C".
In today's digital music world, singles reign supreme, and the majority of commercial bands are content to spin out one or two quality songs and add the rest with filler. So it comes as a breath of fresh air on first listen to Zoa that the songs only continue to impress and resonate. It's easy to add a handful of the songs on this album to one's favorite playlist, but doing so would be an injustice to the kind of start to finish listening experience that this band has, whether voluntary or not, created.
Rating: 10/10
on 2008-09-16 kiwigray Said:
Moody and introverted, yet honest and emotional. A grand listen. Thanks guys!!!
Rating: 10/10
Review:
on 2008-09-15 killercars Said:
Zoa elevates a pure revelation and insight into its complex, yet completely honest recordings. Distinctive in its hazy atmosphere, the music itself is fascinating with sensitivity to spare. Strong melodies and a variety of unexpected detours-each track offers something different from what proceeded minutes b4. Increasingly adept song writing with guitar work that is nothing short of musical mastery, perfectly outlining every intricate sound and laying down the foundation of this album's full potential. It simply doesn't fall short at allowing us to have a small taste of our own sweet perfection.
Rating: 10/10
Review:
on 2008-09-13 eegoings Said:
in an industry of ever-depleting integrity, the honest and evocative voice of this record is truly refreshing....like any true artwork, it takes time to truly give yourself a chance to appreciate the nuance and energy of these songs - i highly recommend you give yourself that time...you won't be disappointed....
among my favorites are the locomotive-grunge force of "out in the open", and the haunting, yet quixotic journey that is "lincoln tunnel". with the range and fluid depth of their virgin attempt, i can say that i'm definitely looking forward to the next release from these folks...hope to see it sooner rather than later -
Rating: 9/10
Review:
on 2008-09-12 marlowegrey Said:
Goes a bit against our etiquette to write a self review about the music we created and now decide to share with you. So, we will not comment on the songs as to say they are stunning. The music will speak for itself and we honored to let you be the judge of it.
However, what will be said is that this record took quite some time to finish. It's goal was to be nothing short of raw, honest, emotional and pure.
It is a true representation of our world and our souls as we know them. We are certainly proud of it and hope that you will enjoy it.
mg
Rating: 10/10
