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Gemma Ray takes star turn on sophomore album

GEMMA RAY: 'LIGHTS OUT ZOLTAR!' (BRONZERAT) ***

Shore Fire

It's not Gemma Ray's eclecticism that impresses on 'Lights Out Zoltar!' It's her ability to tie it together, to make it sound coherent.

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By CURTIS ROSS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2009

Gemma Ray has been compared to Dusty Springfield, PJ Harvey, Phil Spector's girl groups and probably Yma Sumac by this point. There may be some truth to the comparisons but they miss the point. "Lights Out Zoltar!" is an intriguing and very special album that is far more than the sum of its influences.

Ray gracefully sidesteps pigeonholing with distinct musical approaches for each of the album's dozen tracks. She's got a strong voice coupled with a sense of subtlety, a knack for clever arrangements and lyrics full of sharp observations and well-turned phrases.

Ray moves easily from '60s melodies to bluesy strolls to dream-pop but it's not her eclecticism that impresses. It's her ability to tie it together, to make it sound coherent.

"Lights Out Zoltar" isn't made for shuffle mode. It's a true album with songs flowing in a logical order. The stylistic shifts are only shocking in comparison to one-note artists who milk a single idea for a whole disc or career.

Writing a dozen great songs shows Ray's craft. Making them flow seamlessly, from the irresistible pop of "Tough Love" to the churning, dark gospel of "Dig Me a River" to the ghostly "If You Want to Rock and Roll" (" ... don't call me") shows her artistry. Ray shines brightly on "Lights Out Zoltar!"

Download this: "No Water"

CDs are rated on a scale of zero to four stars.

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