The Uncarved Block

"Completely Fine" Album Review

 

Released: 05/02/21 - Review Date: 15/03/21

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AliceIsSleeping have finally released their debut album "Completely Fine" showing that not even a world-wide lock-down can keep a good band down. And we are not disappointed with what they have produced. Nine tracks adorn this record, treating us to a selection of styles and sounds that befit their eclectic musical influences.

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It begins with "Outsiders," complete with guitarist Dan's folky-feel intro riff, before Alice Dionis's powerful voice blows us away. There is a fantastic middle section where the power-punk riff opens up into a wide open Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd) style solo. Alice's bass-line stabs and jabs as it breaks down into a slow section, daunting and haunting, pierced by Alice's choral vocals. The tension builds up, with the drumming of Jon Hare-Winton tying the sections together before the head banging, marching drums climax. Boom! All this in only the first song.

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"Felix" is the next track, with a playful and dark verse, tinged with sarcasm. The chorus is deeply catchy as is the main riff. This is a classic, Jaunty rock song, and Alice continues to hit those trademark high notes in her vocals. Another crazy ending leads us straight into the the previously released single "Over And Over Again" (which was our "Video Of The Week" for 21/02/2021). The heavy bass intro and piercing vocals prepares the atmosphere before the sparkling guitar riff adds another layer and those powerful drums build up to the chorus crescendo explosion; it really is a rush - dark and rich with style, this is an addictive song.

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"Twilight" (the second single from the album) gives us another dimension to the variety on offer: long drawn out guitar chords, stabbing bass notes, minimal drums, all paving the way for the vocals to take centre stage. The melody is haunting, almost goth-like in it's production, floating above the dark cloud of the guitar distortion/overdrive which compliment Alice's operatic vocals that give you chills down your spine towards the end of the song. Magical and chilling in equal measures.

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"Scary Mary" has been brought over from their previous EP (2018's "Space Wanders and Bleeding Hearts.") because it fits in well with the overall tone and mood of the album. More playful story telling is on display here, with rock and roll riffing, swagger and attitude in abundance, which are continued into the next track "Alien" with it's power-chord punk start, epic tempo changes, and another deeply catchy chorus; it tips it's hat in appreciation to a glam-rock style of song-writing.

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Track number seven is entitled "Not Cool." Muted chords and snare drum rim-tapping begin this unique sounding song-for-the-geeks. Alice manages to sound cheeky, cynical and mysterious throughout this song which also boasts sound effects of the old dial-up internet and well-placed vocal samples that bring a smile to your face! The outro riff feels like it belongs in space-age visions of the past whilst the bass and drums beat like the racing heart that drives the song along. There is also a great video that accompanies this track, with footage taken from friends and colleagues videoing themselves during the lock-down period.

 

"Negotiating Sex" has great guitar sound effects, incessant drumming and a great 90s Alt-rock feel to the chorus. We are treated to a slow-jam break-down, great dynamics, and continued vocal wonders making this song delightfully disjointed - almost mimicking that teenage puberty feeling of awkwardness, and the search for inner confidence.

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The final track is called "Lost Girls" and we can hear the crowd in the back ground, before the low-fi guitar and vocal intro leads into another well sculpted track that demonstrates the abundance of talent within the band. This is a stylish and cool finale to a great album.

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"Completely Fine" is an emotionally charged album, full to the brim with both style AND substance, that is not afraid to tackle subjects such as social alienation and inequalities. It is both intense and energetic, combined with excellent production that does not take away anything from their fantastic song-writing skills. This album undoubtedly deserves it's place amongst your music collection, to be enjoyed on repeat.

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Don't forget to check out the interview with Alice herself, from just before the album release, which can be found here.

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(One final credit goes to Frederico Salis who created the bold cover art work)

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Andy

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