ALBUM REVIEWS
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ALBUM REVIEWS |
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I Alexander
A LITTLE BIT OF EPIC SUPER HAPPY RECORDS 9.8.10 @www.vanguard-online.co.uk
The press release that accompanied this album referred to this mini album as "a polished piece of 21st century pop-rock". Hmmmmm. Upon hearing the first track 'You, This Does Transcend' I am inclined to disagree. Heavily synthesised vocals, overly populated with backing vocals and drums and guitars and other gizmos I am afraid I had to skip this track after the first minute. The next track, 'Kittens and Charmers' is far more pleasing to the ear. Again, the vocals are annoyingly synthesised but at least I can work out a melody. Somewhere. After straining my ears. 'She's Super Happy' has a catchy guitar hook that doesn't last long enough and is replaced by what sounds like a Yamaha keyboard, and the odd electric violin with again (yep, you guessed it) more synthesised vocals!! 'Halos and Hypocrites' opened with just his normal vocal (shock horror!) voice and a lone guitar, before more guitars join (good) and his voice become digitised again!! This is the best track on this mini album though as it is rawer and seems more, I don't know, real?! Is that the best word to describe it? Whilst not stripped down to the basics, compared to the rest of the tracks it is far simpler and works far better. 'Style' could be a good track if he ditches the synths and if he lets the track build up to the finale – I felt like it was almost there and then it was dragged back to the beginning. Most frustrating. Similar to 'Style', I liked parts of 'Spit' but then hated other parts. It has a catchy guitar hook but seems to end before he has quite got to where I thought the track was going. I am reticent to dismiss this album entirely as I think I Alexander probably has potential, but this mini album is so over produced so it is not entirely possible to recognise the total potential of what could be a talented artist. Ditch the synths!! www.myspace.com/ialexandermusic |
