Debut efforts are make-or-break points for many bands. Too often though, first impressions are decided by a team of marketers rather than great artistic contributions. For Remy Zero, let us hope it has a group of marketers equal to its talent.

The group’s self-titled debut, Remy Zero, is nothing short of stellar. A complex mix of musical imagery and haunting vocal transitions creates a sound that melts over you like warm coconut oil on a balmy coastal day.

The combination of piano, acoustic and electric guitars, flute and just about anything that will make noise helps create a mellow tone attracting and lulling one through an almost hallucinatory experience.

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The first track, Tremons, jolts the listener to attention with a Sonic Youth slap of deep, moody guitar backed by angry vocals. From here on, Remy Zero conveys its music with an affectionate nurturing complimented by thoughtful and concise songwriting. Emotions easily find their way into the mind’s eye, as simple lyrics allow the listener to recall moods we have all felt yet somehow fail to put to words.

In Shadowcasting, pictures of loneliness and despair are sadly expressed yet strangely challenged by a musical energy that keeps depression at bay.

No one ever cares for those left alone/Looking out this dirty window/Who cares if tomorrow ever comes!

Only later do we figure out that the song is about a lonely alien left behind by his careless UFO crew.

As a band, Remy Zero works extremely well together. Its ability to smoothly mix music, emotion and moods create a sound that never seems to clash or fight for attention. Sophisticated and insightful, this album is a refreshing alternative to the abundance of angry, disjointed and often disconnected Gen X mega-bands. A+