Alessis Ark Notes From The Treehouse (EMI)
4/5
By: Tom Hocknell
Fresh from her arresting performance for Rockfeedback TV, Alessi's album appears perfectly and delicately formed; snow-like, before the gritters. Although Lykke Li didn't do the business people were expecting (or did she?) Alessi's Ark is clearly hoping the market is big enough to accommodate another set of kooky (read: Bjork™) nu-folk songs.
It is of course slightly nauseating that she wrote the ambitious 'Glendorn' for her GCSEs; hopefully we've been spared from the fact she knocked it out the night before. It's unknown what grade the exam board rewarded it, but it was enough to get the attention of the majors (for the record, we've given it an A). She's from Hammersmith, though she clearly sees the Ark through different eyes to the rest of us.
The gentle harmony of 'Over the Hill' could come from the early 90's Heavenly Records stable, established alarmingly before Alessi was even born, or stretching further back, her voice echoes Eddie Brickell's. But like Angus and Julia Stone, these songs are amazingly confident, such as the string bathed 'Consellations', the bracing harmonies of 'Memory Box' and the intimacy of the duet single 'Horse', which is like walking behind two new lovers. In Paris. And yes, in Springtime.
Despite over the course of the album, the whimsical slightly wears, the opening songs actually finish too soon, and with a larger musical palette next time, her A-level Music course work will be something to anticipate.
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment