Customer Reviews

The Impossible Thrill

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!!

Very intelligent music, something that may require a few listens in order to appreciate some of it. Perhaps a couple of the songs are a bit too "ambient" for me, but on the other hand, a couple are so beautiful, even melodically haunting, that they compensate for the weaker ones. If you like "world music", say Dead Can Dance (though Alpha is not similiar to them at all) you would probably appreciate this CD for its distinctiveness and artistry.

Alpha are one of a kind. While mellow electronica is now a dime a dozen and packaged for the masses...they remain totally inventive and unique. I find the best albums to me are the ones that grow on you with each listen and this is most definitely one of them...at first I wasnt sure what to make of it, but with time it has become my most listened to cd of the year thus far. A must have...

At first, I was dissappointed with The Impossible Thrill. It didn't meet up to the expectations that Come From Heaven and Pepper had set for me. It seemed toooooo chilled out for its own good. So, I put it back in the collection for awhile; I let it stew. Then, last night, at dusk, mind you, I put it on and... wow! What was I thinkng? It's beautiful!

The Impossible Thrill is more of the same laid-back Bacharach-styled trip-hop that was found on ComeFromHeaven. Unfortunately, it's missing some of the magic that made their first LP so wonderful. The first thing one hears upon puching play is that Alpha has made the switch to live instruments, no more relying on samples. It has mixed results. Don't get me wrong, I'd much prefer live instruments over samples, but when it actually takes substance away from a song, you know there's a problem. The first song attempts to grab you in a "please, please listen to me" sort of way. In a way it works, but by the end of track two most will have lost interest. Sure, some songs are more structure, with clearer melodies and changes, but other songs just go off the deep end, staying unpredictable and nothing more than layer after layer of sound. Another minor complaint is that some of the vocals, aside from Martin Barnard who will always be mind-blowing, have lost their luster.

But for all of my complaints, I was floored on occasion. When The Impossible thrill shines, it soars. The middle of the CD is wonderful, as are the first and last track, and it was an utter joy to hear Daddy G of Massive Attack lending his pipes to the jazzy song "Wishes." Equally stunning is Martin Barnard's performance on "Dim," possibly the best track on the CD.

So, all in all, The Impossible is a tad disappointing, at times brialliant, at times confusing, but most definitely satisfactory for a fan of the band or the genre (although Alpha are truly in a genre of their own). Remember: three stars means GOOD! NOT BAD! (1=bad, 2=fair, 3=good, 4=excellent, 5=perfect)

'come from heaven', alpha's debut, remains one of my favorite albums; wandering through Tower the other day, i exclaimed rather embarrassingly when i happened upon its follow up, 'the impossible thrill.' not to gush, but the title is all too apt--how does one improve upon such loveliness? they've done it, though. more explicitly a late-seventies throwback, with groovier bass and percussion lines, less sampling, and a much less laid-back vibe, 'the impossible thrill' is overripe with intensity. the vocal work by Helen White and Wendy Stubbs and especially Martin Barnard (a great deal of my thrill stemmed from having an opportunity to hear more of his voice) is as good as always, but this time more emotionally raw and informed. the greatest improvement upon 'come from heaven' is in the instrumental arrangements; Colin and Andy have outdone themselves, taking the sound of the film soundtracks they sampled so aptly in their first album and translating them into grandiose original orchestrations with full strings, choirs, and a lovely funk sound. fans won't be disappointed; those new to alpha should experience both albums, but avoid 'pepper'--it is inferior.

I have listened to this album and the band's, Come from Heaven. This album has some deeper electronic effects than Come from Heaven. The songs are accessable. If you are familiar with trip hop bands like Mescalito, you may find some interesting simularities to One Path in a Million. The lead female singers voice is inviting. The whole album is mellow along the lines of Kreuder & Dorfmeister. It is a fine spin for a mellow, not too out there, lounges background music. I believe this band is capable of better, but I like this better than Come from Heaven. Give it a spin and you decide!

The Impossible Thrill is more "instrument oriented" than ComeFromHeaven, which has very unique samples in it. I have not been able to listen to "Don't Touch" yet since I do not have the one with bonus track. Clear Sky has this really bizarre sample which can be described as "thrilling". Trying to gather info on Alpha on the web is like running after a ghost. It is a good buy.