Fans of the fantastic 'Smallville: Superman The Early Years' -one of the best programmes on the box at present- will know its theme tune, 'Save Me'. A huge, soaraway, anthemic rock number with Bono-ish vocals and The Edge-like guitar, it is the able workmanship of LA-based quintet Remy Zero.
Some of us smug gits have been admirers of the band's layered, moody pop-rock since their 1998 breakthrough second album 'Villa Elaine'. Radiohead and Travis sang their praises back then, while today, unwittingly, viewers of the young Clark Kent, Lex and Lana's adventures have heard a fair bit of the Zero's music in the background.
Great things then are expected of frontman Cinjun Tate and his muckers with this their third and finest album. Perhaps less immediate than its predecessor, 'The Golden Hum' reveals more longterm rewards with every listen. Part U2 robust rocking, part gently reflective acoustic strummings, with a Semisonic-meets-Crowded House ear for nifty melody it is warmly, intimately produced by Jack Joseph Puig (Green Day, No Doubt, Tricky).
From the opening ominous rumbles and crackles of the eerie instrumental title track, to the fast and furious, goosepimple-inducing rock finale of 'Impossibility', there is much here to thrill the senses. 'Out/In' has an epic rock feel, -Tate, as on much of the album, sounding uncannilly like Mr Bono - 'Perfect Memory's chiming, charming acoustic nostalgia has more than a touch of Neil Finn about it, 'Belong' possesses a guitar motif not a million miles away from The La's 'There She Goes', while 'I'm Not Afraid' is curiously reminiscent in all but vocals of The Smiths 'Sing Me To Sleep'.
Oh yes and of course, the aforementioned superhuman theme tune and future single 'Save Me' are both here too. Not a groundbreaking album then but an assured and soulful one of touching beauty and exciting aggression.
