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Remy Zero — Hermes Bird
Album: Villa Elaine
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1106









Released: 1998
Length: 3:50
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Your sad songs rain in heaven
Here's a call for you
So don't let it fall into your
Frail dreams of horror
Life, lies, and shattered blows
Calling out you're famous

So hold to your permanent bliss
In the time that it takes to exist
From the hours to the fall of it
It's all right
You're all wrong

And it's a dangerous thing to ignore
It's so easy when the world has it's way
Well, then you're gone
Life, limbs, and shattered blows
Crawling out you're famous

So hold to your permanent bliss
When you barely know that you exist
From the hours to the fall of it
All right

Alright, I never said
to just cast them out
Leave it till the morning
Then you're gone.
So long
Cast them out
Now you're alive

So hold to your permanent bliss
In the time that it takes to exist
From the hours to the fall of it
It's all right
You're all wrong

It's so, it's so easy
Comments (131)add comment
Incredibly beautiful song.  Will be added to my set list as an encore.

Thank you William!
Dishwalla meets Vast meets Turin Brakes.

Fine by me.  
A cover of New Years Day by U2 would be pretty impressive by these guys I reckon
It is the passion and the emotion in the voice and music that makes it sound like it does -- and to me, it sounds incredibly expressive and excellent! Amazing song!
Anybody hearing Stone Roses on this?
To me the opening sounded like a CAKE song unbeknown to me, later this illusion was broken but I still like it. 7 from the Oostzaan Jury
 Jazbo wrote:
kinda, really like this....7 to an 8...
 

Yeah, solid 8.
and leave Bono and Turin Brakes alone.
Sounds like Turin Brakes. I prefer Turin Brakes.
 kingart wrote:


Someone doesn't know the U2 sound that well, I guess. 
 

Sounds more in Starsailor vein, I think
Not convinced about this one... anyways, amazing how much he sounds like Bono (or how much Bono sounds like him...)
 Bocephus wrote:

I thought this was U2 also.

 

Someone doesn't know the U2 sound that well, I guess. 
I'm embarrassed to admit this is the first time hearing this band.  But would have been a great opening band for the Bends-era Radiohead.....I missed that tour. 
Killer bass line
 kyleminor wrote:
I had to check THREE TIMES to be sure I wasn't hearing U2.
 
Were you expecting the artist text to change?
 kyleminor wrote:
I had to check THREE TIMES to be sure I wasn't hearing U2.
 
Same here!
I had to check THREE TIMES to be sure I wasn't hearing U2.
 misterbearbaby wrote:

There's some weird kind of sub genre of music that's evolved for shows watched by teen/college aged women.  This band seems to have some chops but I sense that they were sprayed on, like their fake tans, post production. I think we'd be deeply disappointed in ther stage performance.

If you ever really try to LISTEN to this stuff  (without the moving pictures) its all similar sausage- ground out of Hollywoo, day after day. There's some comfortably recognizable  elements of pop music but  made bland, often having  sound-effect crap mixed in, and all greasy from massive overproduction. I assumed that the goal was to match the visual production, not to make music. It take some balls to actually use real music by real musicians.


 adpucci wrote:
sounds like Turin Brakes.I mean really. A LOT.
 
If only... This album predates Turin Brakes. Their tunes aren't a kind facsimile to the sound of Remy Zero.
Bono's brother?
sounds like Turin Brakes.I mean really. A LOT.
Actually I lied. The sign is gone. Not sure when that happened. Just goes to show sometimes you don't pay close attention to every detail of your environment.
I work in Hollywood and see the Villa Elaine apartment sign everyday. Didn't realize it was the album cover. I can assure everyone it hasn't changed much in the ensuing fifteen years since that picture was taken.
 Cynaera wrote:
Demonstrating my total ignorance:  The first time I ever heard this band, it was on an episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." The second time was the theme song for "Smallville."  I apologize for my lack of musical knowledge.  I like their music, but I'm not sure I'd spend money on it right away - they're more like a slow-growing fire than an instant inferno to me. I'll keep listening...
 
There's some weird kind of sub genre of music that's evolved for shows watched by teen/college aged women.  This band seems to have some chops but I sense that they were sprayed on, like their fake tans, post production. I think we'd be deeply disappointed in ther stage performance.
kinda, really like this....7 to an 8...
The All Music Guide kind of savaged this album in their review — I think they're dead wrong (not the first time, but one of their more egregious misses). This is an excellent album. Remy Zero only had 3 proper albums and they're all quite different — this is the best IMO.
Demonstrating my total ignorance:  The first time I ever heard this band, it was on an episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." The second time was the theme song for "Smallville."  I apologize for my lack of musical knowledge.  I like their music, but I'm not sure I'd spend money on it right away - they're more like a slow-growing fire than an instant inferno to me. I'll keep listening...
Seamless segue from Joe Satriani - Oriental Melody

Great Goose of Zeus, it's a Hermes Bird!


Awesome, brilliant, I got chills down my spine when this started playing.. "Wait.. no.. yes.. no.. YES!". Thanks RP! Keep on rockin!
 KikaKitty wrote:
Bill never disappoints - best DJ out there! 
Just heard Remy Zero for the first time & wow.  Hey how can you not like an album with your name in the title as an extra bonus?

 
It must have been hell at school having a name like Zero ;)

So thrilled to know I'm not the only one who knows about Remy Zero and Villa Elaine. This has been a favorite of mine for about 10 years now. I discovered them just a month after they played my town. They never came back. Truly sad I never got to see this band perform live.
 LPCity wrote:
Love the bass work on this.  Simple, yet driving.
 

Agreed! Love the rythme guit also! JB, not for me..........
Bill never disappoints - best DJ out there! 
Just heard Remy Zero for the first time & wow.  Hey how can you not like an album with your name in the title as an extra bonus?

 horstman wrote:

WTF?

Me thinks it sounds like Turin Brakes.

But that's just me. Good song. Gotta pick this up.

 

Since I heard of Remy Zero first (and I think they pre-dated Turin Brakes), I'd say that the Turin Brakes sound like Remy Zero. (As a matter of fact, I did, on one of the songs from TB's new CD.)

Either way, we both agree on the same point...they sound like each other.  {#Smile}
 Danimal174 wrote:
...let's push for a reunion!
 
A little less likely as of this January...

 philbertr wrote:
Thought it was Porcupine Tree!
 
WTF?

Me thinks it sounds like Turin Brakes.

But that's just me. Good song. Gotta pick this up.

This could not sound less like Jeff Buckley and I think rp needs to play more Jeff Buckley, the last five songs have been awful. What's happened to this station?
Love the bass work on this.  Simple, yet driving.
 ssg wrote:
Vocal sounds like Jeff Buckley.
True dat.

 handyrae wrote:


I second the "thought it was U2" vote. I wasn't really paying attention and only figured out it wasn't U2 when the next song that came was a definite U2 song. 
 
And another vote for the Bono Sound-alike...poor guy (Remy) is cursed. Prob. hears that all the time. {#Frown}
 drtjdel wrote:


Thought it was U2.
 

I second the "thought it was U2" vote. I wasn't really paying attention and only figured out it wasn't U2 when the next song that came was a definite U2 song. 
 natalita wrote:
remy sounds like bono
 
bono  Good song.


Two Remy Zero albums are among the best albums I've ever heard in the past 10 years. Easily. (Not their first one.)
 savoyard wrote:
Sounds like Dashboard Confessional to me...Not saying that's a good or bad thing.
 

"Dashboard Confessional" - now that's one of the top 10 band names of all time.
 philbertr wrote:
Thought it was Porcupine Tree!
 

Thought it was U2.
 vicariance wrote:
this song is the perfect example of why I love radio paradise.  This is a song I absolutely love, on an album I pretty much love, but it is very likely that no one else I know whose tastes are similar to mine has even ever heard it before.  I learn so much listening to this station and am reminded of so much that I already like.

{#Clap}
 
I've heard, own and love this record too!  Thank goodness for an ex-girlfriend that worked in the music biz... might never have discovered them had it not been for her.

Herpes Bird
Thought it was Porcupine Tree!
this song is the perfect example of why I love radio paradise.  This is a song I absolutely love, on an album I pretty much love, but it is very likely that no one else I know whose tastes are similar to mine has even ever heard it before.  I learn so much listening to this station and am reminded of so much that I already like.

{#Clap}
 stephanos wrote:

Bono was my first thought too. Or Fran Healy.
 
I thought this was U2 also.

remy sounds like bono

love love love


upped from 7 to 8   {#Music}
AliGator wrote:
Sounds like Bono? Uh, no.
Actually, listen to Zero's "Save Me" and the resemblance is unmistakable. Less so on this song, but apparently Bill's playing on this likeness. Red Hill and Save Me have the very similar soaring vocals that sent me running to see who was singing.
One of the many good songs by Remy Zero. It's a shame they broke up. Zach Braff is right...let's push for a reunion!
8 9
Nice song, great bass.
keller1 wrote:
Usually like Remy Zero ... don't like this one though.
I am the opposite. I like this one.
Usually like Remy Zero ... don't like this one though.
I have a feeling I will always make this association with this song. Thanks. Thanks a lot. trekhead wrote:
Remyhead?
Nice follow to Joe Satriani's "Oriental Melody"
Vocal sounds like Jeff Buckley.
savoyard wrote:
Sounds like Dashboard Confessional to me...Not saying that's a good or bad thing.
I always get a chuckle when people make comparisons like this without knowing the relative timeline. I think you mean Dashboard Confessional sounds like Remy Zero. This album was released in 1998 (and it is excellent from start to finish). -Synth80s
Sounds like Dashboard Confessional to me...Not saying that's a good or bad thing.
Great seamless seque from Satriani's Oriental Melody! Songs alright, all wrong....... kinda a little Smashing Pumpkins-ish for my tastes.... Edited to say: I obviously don't read through everyones comments before I comment......
you know, Fran Healy (Travis) and Cinjun Tate (Remy Zero) are very close friends and write songs togther. I saw them both play together in SF in about 2001, and it was a really fun expierence. Interesting Fact: Cinjun Tate was also married to Alyssa Milano.
AliGator wrote:
Sounds like Bono? Uh, no.
Bono was my first thought too. Or Fran Healy.
Sounds like Bono? Uh, no.
Is that Bono on lead vocals? Sounds pretty good!
Remy Zero was one of my favorite bands who were unfortunately overlooked before they broke up (much like Catharine Wheel and The Afghan Whigs). The first Remy Zero album is their most original though I like Villa Elaine (from which this rack comes) the best. The 3rd album was more mainstream but still good -- a clear attempt to hit a bigger audience with producer (overproducer?) Jack Joseph Puig. If you like Remy Zero, check out Isidore, a pairing of Jeffrey Cain from Remy Zero and Steve Kilbey from The Church. Sound clips: (click here) -Synth80s
legitorg wrote:
This singer definately came from the same school Bono did. Group them together, but I don't know enough of this band to put them in the same "class." I highly dought you can put them in the same class, anyway.
Not enough panting and falsetto to be our Mr. B... :-)
Bono sings with This band too, wow!
The world is not big enough for two Bono's. Though if such a thing should happen one could certainly stay with me...........
somebodyyyyy.... sssaaaaaaaaaaaaaavvveeee... meeeeeeeee!!!.... (Smallville's intro theme). I only knew this song of them. I still like that one more than this one (Hermes Bird).
he is NOT Bono's little brother. they're from Birmingham, AL! and they are no longer together. which is sad, because i like a lot of their stuff.
Great live band.
oscar_driver wrote:
I totally thought that this was U2 .. bad U2 ... Oscar
The lyrics are terrible, and the music is derivative. = 4
i heard remy zero for the first time at a show, actually, and they were amazing. why does the CD never sound as good as a live show though? not just for Remy Zero, but as a rule? if you hear them first live, and then buy the CD and take it home, you're almost always like... "oh... well... nevermind." BUT! being a huge U2 fan myself, i really like these guys. teehee!
foppy-knight wrote:
Really like this band. Thanks for playing!
yes! we need some of the standouts from Golden Hum
oscar_driver wrote:
I totally thought that this was U2 .. bad U2 ... Oscar
Yeup. It sounds that way.
jah_blessed wrote:
Yeah, the singer is indeed Bono's little brother.
Errr... no, don't think so.
jah_blessed wrote:
Yeah, the singer is indeed Bono's little brother.
well, no wonder! he sounds almost exactly like him!
I'm not feelin' this track. Could be the mood I'm in
Really like this band. Thanks for playing!
Yeah, the singer is indeed Bono's little brother.
Fat_Man_Flo wrote:
Not until you pour the pepto bismal in your ears silly.
Wow! That helped! Now I hear an ocean. Strange that it was not noted in the instructions that came with the bottle.
Tux wrote:
Doesn't make it sound any better though.
Not until you pour the pepto bismal in your ears silly.
I totally thought that this was U2 .. bad U2 ... Oscar
Rock on!
Seamless segue out of Satriani/Oriental Melody. Smooth. :)
JokesandJokesandJokes wrote:
RP comes with Pepto Bismol, just send in a donation for Shipping and Handling of 4.95
Doesn't make it sound any better though.
JokesandJokesandJokes wrote:
RP comes with Pepto Bismol, just send in a donation for Shipping and Handling of 4.95
Bada Bing! Good one!
This singer definately came from the same school Bono did. Group them together, but I don't know enough of this band to put them in the same "class." I highly dought you can put them in the same class, anyway.
i dont' hear u2 in this at all. love it.
Hmmmm, the chorus to this song sounds an awful lot like a Stone Roses song off their first album - I'll have to dig it out and have a listen to figure out exactly which one... Good song though. n.
Tux wrote:
Too much reminds me of U2. Barf
RP comes with Pepto Bismol, just send in a donation for Shipping and Handling of 4.95
Waltenstein wrote:
Wow, I hope I can make music that reminds people of U2.
Amen!
Tux wrote:
Too much reminds me of U2. Barf
Wow, I hope I can make music that reminds people of U2.
Too much reminds me of U2. Barf :grumpy.gif:
i really like this song
man, it's been many moons since i last heard any Remo Zero here on RP. let's try not to make it such a rarity.
There couldn't be a more appropriate song to rate a big fat ZERO. We need to extend the scale downward on beyond 1.
This tune reminds me of Angie Aparo. It's there, almost. I keep waiting for that last change-up that will totally rock my world, but it never comes. I'm left hanging. I don't like to be left hanging. Please, finish me off Remy!!!
eval wrote:
What are you smoking
Ok. It's not U2 per se, but it reminds me, in an unflattering way, of that U2 tribute band in high school. You may like it, and they might do a decent job, but admit it: it is just NOT that interesting listening to a band copying one of the major stadium humpers...
Myrrh wrote:
Well, I went and read that review and the reviewer, Dean Carlson, seems to be suffering from that all-to-common disease among his ilk, that of being too clever to be fair. Anthony Lane of the New Yorker is sometimes guilty of this, but Carlson simply isn't that clever. Claiming Remy Zero are trying to satisfy "the bland fans of Britney Spears cover bands" and calling Sting a "socially conscious Dune actor" is pretty pedestrian. He was basically showing off his meager talents as a writer, not reviewing the recording, so I don't take it too seriously. It's kinda postmodern to review a reviewer. :p
What does he know? Amazing album.
rcarr wrote:
TRAVIS? Surely not! Don't judge this band by this song. This is the first song on their second album "Villa Elaine" a good but fairly eclectic bunch of songs - almost as if they're trying to cram in references to every band who has influenced them. Their third album "The Golden Hum" is a more coherant collection of songs. Still, this is a really good song. I love the rolling bassline and the octave harmonies.
My opinion is contrary to this. I think Villa Elaine is the better album, with a better flow from song to song. The Golden Hum has good songs on it, but doesn't leave me wanting to keep the album in rotation. I've been listing to VE for a few years now and I still feel the same about it that I did the first listen. Maybe I just need to listen to Golden Hum a few more times.
TRAVIS? Surely not! Don't judge this band by this song. This is the first song on their second album "Villa Elaine" a good but fairly eclectic bunch of songs - almost as if they're trying to cram in references to every band who has influenced them. Their third album "The Golden Hum" is a more coherant collection of songs. Still, this is a really good song. I love the rolling bassline and the octave harmonies.
I bought this CD years ago, and I remember Gramarye being the only good song on it.
Originally Posted by RonH: It is U2
What are you smoking
Ohh...... I like this.
Originally Posted by Stuart: The AMG reviewer really trashed this album. Anyone care to comment?
Based on this track, I'd say they were right on.
When I first heard the beginning of this it sounded just like Better Than Ezra\'s \'Extra Ordinary.\'
The AMG reviewer really trashed this album. Anyone care to comment?
damn... yet another album I\'ll have to buy.
It sounds like U2
This is one of my favorite Remy Zero songs. I think it\'s a rather clever song.
Originally Posted by LAfadeaway: Doesn't this singer wound like BONO though??
I thought it was Bono slumming with some other band at first.