The Impossible Thrill

Alpha | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Melankolic
• ASIN: B000055XBT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #289,162 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #67 in Music > Indie Music > Dance & DJ > Trip-Hop

Editorial Reviews

Japanese edition of their second full length includes two bonus tracks, 'Sea' & 'Don't Touch'. Alpha are signed to Massive Attack's Melankolic label and are a superb down tempo act . 13 tracks in all. 2001 release. Standard jewel case. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complex, seductive recording, March 22, 2001

By 

Courtney (Jersey City, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Impossible Thrill (Audio CD)

Although I loved their first album "Come From Heaven" I had read a review in URB magazine that sent up warning signals that I shouldn't get my hopes up too high about an equally satisfying follow-up. After several deep listens I can honestly say that this album is a complex work that will become more and more engaging each time you hear it. I concede to the URB reviewer that it's not as immediate as its predecessor, but the textures, tempos and especially the vocal performances from the lovely Helen White and Wendy Stubbs are equally bewitching as those on the last record if you let them work their magic over time. I salute Corin and Andy for taking time to experiment with real string arrangements and layers of silky burbling electronics and for crafting a kind of renegade lounge album, full of songs that ebb and flow mysteriously, never quite doing what you might expect them to. All in all, this is a classic record to chill to/make out with your partner to, and from there who knows what might happen. Gorgeous.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a loosely connected lattice of disparate sound, November 24, 2001

By 

"sherlockhemlock" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Impossible Thrill (Audio CD)

I've been waffling. I've waffled. I wasn't sure what to make of this album when I first heard it. I mean, I liked it, sure, but how much? And why? Well, to the first question, I answer, 'a lot.' I think it might be my favorite this year. Maybe. As to the 'why?', well, it's different. I hadn't really heard anything but one other song by Alpha, so I don't know how similar their older stuff is to 'The Impossible Thrill', but this album is definitely different than anything else I've ever heard. And in a good way. It's quite a beautiful album. Some criticisms of the album that I've read have cited the seeming lack of song structure as one of the primary weaknesses of the album, but I think it's a major strength. Because the songs don't follow standard song structures, the album unfolds like a dream. It's still hard for me to keep up w/where some of the songs go. Quite an impressive effort.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Bristol sound bliss from Alpha., March 27, 2001

By 

Guillermo Folco (San Francisco, California USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Impossible Thrill (Audio CD)

I love this guys! After a fantastic debut album, it'd have been just very easy to put together something in the same vein, but they went the route of the real genious. If Massive Attack, Purple Penguin, and Statik Sound System were to be blended along with the best moments of Stereolab, and super chill out vibes ala Future3, you would get Alpha's new release. This album grows on me constantly, and as I'm typing this review my computer is letting my senses be soothed by the ethereal sounds created by this seriously amazing band. Most excellent indeed!!