Customer Reviews

Everything Is

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This may well be the best album that no one knows about. Don't worry though, within a year, many people in the U.S. will have heard a song or two from these guys. Nine Black Alps are from Manchester, UK and have earned the nickname of the Nirvana of Europe. I do and don't agree with that comparison. You can tell that they draw from Nirvana's style but NBA has a distinct sound of their own.

1. Get Your Guns- This one rocks out from the start. I really like the verses of this one, more so than the chorus which is rather plain. Nice opener. 7.5/10
2. Cosmopolitan- This one starts with an Interpol-ish sound and then transforms into a rocking out song. The lyrics are very interesting, "You're not pretty enough, you're not skinny enough, you're not healthy enough, you're not shaking at our touch." This is referring to the mass media and how they make everyone feel inadequate about themselves. A solid song. 8/10.
3. Not Everyone- One of my favorites. This one reminds me of a Sonic Youth song which is definitely a plus. This song really comes together and builds up to the awesome chorus. 9/10
4. Unsatisfied- Hands down my favorite song on the album. The opening guitar sends chills down my spine everytime I hear it. I can't say enough about this song. To me, this one stands out above the others on the track. As lead singer Sam Forrest sings, "Ten out of ten for a race already run.." Yea... this one is definitely 10/10.
5. Headlights- Good song. I never skip it when I listen but then again, I'm never really excited when it comes on either. 7/10
6. Behind Your Eyes- A really pretty acoustic song which is a nice way to change up the album. "If that's the way you feel, there's no easy way out." I really like this one. 8.5/10
7. Ironside- Definitely my second favorite track. The guitar is incredible in this one and the singer conveys how he just wants to be left alone after a relationship falls apart. 9.5/10
8. Shot Down- I've found out that this is a fan favorite. An older sounding song which I like quite a bit. 8/10
9. Just Friends- The lead singer Forrest singing about how he is always too late and never around to start a relationship with this girl. Short and Sweet. 8/10
10. Everybody Is- Pretty good. Somewhat of an angry song. Nothing spectacular, but again, I definitely don't skip it. 7.5/10
11. Intermission- The other acoustic song of the album. Not quites as good as Behind Your Eyes, but still a song that you want to hear. 8/10
12. Southern Cross- The closer for the album is a very good one. I like the singer's voice in this one as he changes keys a few times. Nice way to finish out a great debut. 8.5/10

These guys are not known now, but they will be. Just as UK bands such as Franz Ferdinand, Coldplay, Bloc Party, and Keane have swept through America, Nine Black Alps will soon be more than a band known only in Europe.
Overall, Everything Is = 8.3/10

I'm constantly amazed at how much I enjoy this album. I expected to find the usual two or three good tracks buried in the usual garbage, but "Everything Is" is surprisingly consistent, chock full of good material. Though there are a few tracks that are exceptionally good ("Unsatisfied," for example), there isn't a single dud on the album.

In addition, the songwriting is exceptional. I tend toward more electronic music, and am normally bored by bands without a dedicated keyboardist or (at the least) whacky FX. Nine Black Alps plows through the album with only a few different guitar and bass sounds, providing variation entirely through the songs themselves instead of by sonic contortion. This is some of the purest and best rock I've ever heard.

Other reviewers' have made comparisons to Nirvana, but I feel this is unjustified. Nine Black Alps easily competes with Nirvana for grunginess, but they owe far more to the Ramones and modern indie rock than to Nirvana.

How do you describe how a band sounds? Nine Black Alps are clearly informed by punk and metal riffs, without being held prisoner by them. The songs are intelligent, catchy, and contain many subtleties which seem to get better with repeated listenings. The vocals may recall Joe Strummer of the Clash, but this band owes nothing to anyone. Every song on this album is easily catchy and memorable, and other than the two slow songs, the record rocks from start to finish. Fuzz guitar riffs seem to remind one of the great punk songs of old, yet this band sounds as fresh as today's news. I am as impressed by this album as I was the first time I heard the Ramones' first album, or Nirvana's "Nevermind." Although this band has its own sound and doesn't sound like those two albums, it's easy to see why the sticker on the cover proclaims that this may be the band that saves rock and roll.

Simply put, this album is fantastic. It's not often anymore that I find an album that just *kills* from beginning to end. This, my friends, is that album. I'm amazed that it's not out on domestic release in the States yet. When it hits, it'll be huge, mark my words. There's a load of Nirvana influence here, but they're by no means a knockoff band. This album has so much energy, and rocks so effing hard. I've been a music buff for nearly 35 years now, and it takes a lot to impress my old, jaded ears. If you don't have this album, get it. I don't care how, just do it. It's brilliant.

This cd is magical! A good mix of songs that stir different emotions. It is NOT a waste of money, you're only wasting your time the longer you wait to get it!

Im not a kid by the way i just forgot my password and HAVE to say... This is by far the best album i have picked up in ages. I am addicted to it and cannot stop repeating it over and over. Most of the songs on the album are very strong and i am not bored for one minute. These guys deserve recognition for an AWESOME first album

This band is just too great although they sound a bit (a lot maybe) like Nirvana, but that's OK. I love their style, I love the music; Nine Black Alps surely rocks!!!

Recommended song: Not Everyone (track number 3)

Most albums wear out, but this one can always play through. It's good straight ahead rock that borrows hooky riffs from other bands when they open up("Just Friends" sound like JET, "Everybody Is" sounds like a Dead Milkmen song), but they quickly lock into a solid rock tune, remaining true to their form but also never boring.

Listen to it.

Witty and cleverly executed post grunge rock from some young Manchester Lads? Produced by Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith)?
Don't mind if I do. Thank you.
Stay tuned to these guys.
Best moment: The rusty slide guitars on the acoustic "Intermission"

I picked this up for $3 at a used cd store. I saw it and remembered having heard them compared to Nirvana, so I took a chance seeing as I wasn't going to waste $15 or anything. I was impressed by the sound, very grunge and still relevant, much like the rock revolution that occured around 2003 or 2004 (namely the Hives, Vines, Strokes etc). "Cosmopolitan" is the best track, and although it gets repeditive at times, it's a solid record. "Behind Your Eyes" and "Intermission" are two folkier acoustic tracks and this band makes them work. The lyrics are well written and socially insightful at times. Worth checking out if you're into Nirvana or the Vines. The only disappointment for me was that "Southern Cross" wasn't a CSN cover.