Children of Alice
Children of Alice
[Warp]
Musique concrète can act as something of a brick wall. A medium principally characterised by a laissez faire attitude towards melody and the wilful abstraction of the familiar and otherworldly – on the whole, It can be alienating in its idiosyncrasy. As distancing as the genre’s specificity can be; as a brand of aural wallpaper it is uniquely equipped to reach sonic plains as singular as they are fascinating.
If I sound like an expert, I assure you that’s far from the case. Frankly, the debut release from Children of Alice would likely have passed me by if not for the individuals that comprise this experimental troupe. Made up of Broadcast’s James Cargill and Roj Stevens alongside The Focus Group’s Julian House, Children of Alice marks Cargill’s most concerted step back into the limelight following the tragic death of prized collaborator and Broadcast vocalist – Trish Keenan.
Calling to mind Broadcast’s work soundtracking modern psychedelic horror masterpiece, Berberian Sound Studio, this debut is unanchored from the retro-rock and lounge that acted as the band’s backbone. Eagerly drawing on the passion for Concrète, Library Music and Giallo soundtracks that always elevated the group’s work, if rarely serving as its thrust. Each of the four extended, instrumental tracks leisurely tenses and releases like a stretching housecat. Deftly flitting between abrasion and a blissful, almost childlike wonder. Distinctly pastoral in palette, spry and measured in its balance between the eerie and playful- Children of Alice serves as a timely reminder of Cargill and co’s unique skill set.
Like this? Try these:
The Caretaker – An Empty Bliss Beyond This World
Goblin – Profondo Rosso OST
Jackie O Motherfucker – Fig.5
Words: Danny Wilson
