Afterglow

Dot Allison

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 14, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B00000JY9O
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,527 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Colour Me

2. Tomorrow Never Comes

3. Close Your Eyes

4. Message Personnel

5. I Wanna Feel the Chill

6. Morning Sun

7. Did I Imagine You?

8. Mo' Pop

9. Alpha Female

10. In Winter Still

11. Message Personnel [Arab Strap Remix]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Dot Allison, former vocalist for the sorely missed Scottish trio One Dove, makes her solo debut with this dreamy, barely lucid record. Full of songs that bathe in half-speed dub beats, Afterglow broods with downcast eyes, yearning for transcendent escapes and peaceful sanctuaries. With the able assistance of Death in Vegas's Richard Fearless, noted '60s songwriter Hal David, and even indie guitar legend Kevin Shields, Allison swoons with confidence, shuffling out song after song of bleary-eyed danceability and electronic atmospherics. The material smears together trip-hop, ambient music, and pop song savvy, marrying Mazzy Star-style shoe-gazer pop with Beth Orton's pseudo-electronic folk. Still, Allison's varied approach gives her music an unpredictable edge all its own. The stripped-down rhythms and pop chorus of "Close Your Eyes" give way to the droning abstractions and chanting vocals of "Message Personnel." "Colour Me" already sounds like a comedown classic, with its sensuous bass grooves and hook-laden, vocoder-assisted chorus. The dark piano tinkling and acoustic touches of "Alpha Female" give Allison's expressive, breathy vocals room to shine. Taken together, these songs find a particular, otherworldly grace, dancing with abandon yet hovering just above the ground. --Matthew Cooke

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant -- dance/techno with soul and melodic smarts., September 16, 1999

By	D. Mok (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Her "Colour Me" single did not disappoint, and the expectations generated by that single are fully fulfilled by Afterglow, the debut album from the angelic Dot Allison.

This album finds her breaking free of One Dove's sound, beginning her free-form expression within her chosen musical genres. But she does bold new things with the techno/choir/pop hybrid on this album. The lonely piano that begins "Alpha Female", for example; the sensual Eurodance grind of "Mo' Pop"; the absolutely lovely "Did I Imagine You?"; the Eastern-flavoured keyboard riff that permeates "Close Your Eyes" -- every song is a gem, infused with Allison's trademark multitracked vocal magic and her daring arrangements. Allison's on-record charisma is phenomenal but despite her ice-goddess looks, her voice can convey a real warmth that makes these songs not just a collection of machinery and mechanized beats, but organic lifeforms with a beating heart.

Just buy it. God knows, if the powers that be lack the faith, this album will not be discovered by the general public -- and it richly deserves to be.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beatiful, Lush, and Hypnotic..., June 6, 2002

By	A. Nolte (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dot Allison was first introduced to me during my stint as a college DJ. The first time I heard her voice was on the Death In Vegas single "Dirge." I thought that was an amazing song, so when her album came out, I absolutely had to check it out.

While it isn't something you would dance to, put on for a party, or listen to when you want to get a mood boost, this album is incredible. The production is fabulous, creating rich, lush vocal landscapes and layers of sound. Allison has the ability to change the sound gradually with the different tones of her voice, which is truly impressive. Allison also did most of the writing for the album, which proves she works through the music, instead of just vocalizing someone else's work.

I know this album isn't for everyone, but I would suggest you check it out if you enjoy Mono, Mazzy Star, Tori Amos, Death in Vegas, or any of the trance/ambient/darkwave female artists out there.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you have a heart?, December 25, 1999

By	NC listener ("tori mania") - See all my reviews

As for the bitter reviewer who "overlistened" to the point of detest to this album, is that Ms. Allison's fault? No. As with any music this should not be played over and over or it will lose its element of special mystique. (This is also a note to myself, because I really should take it out of my CD player). I've been listening to this CD for three straight weeks now and it gets more nostalgic and evocative with each listen. I'd say it's 30% Cocteau Twins, 30% Kate Bush, 10% Garbage and 30% all its own beauty. GET THIS IF YOU ENJOY HEARTBORKEN BALLADS, WATERY, ELOQUENT LYRICS, AND DAMN SOLID MUSIC.