CD Reviews

School of Seven Bells | Alpinisms

Ghostly International (2008)

By DEVIN KING | October 27, 2008

1.0 Stars

Comprising Ben Curtis (formerly of Secret Machines) and the sisters Alejandra and Claudia Deheza (formerly of On!Air!Library!), School of Seven Bells piece together two familiar points of reference: the hook-heavy electronic music made popular by the Notwist, Postal Service, Volvo ads, etc.; and the humbucking and tightly controlled feedback of shoegaze. “Half Asleep” begins with the sisters singing a harmonized line; their related voices, like those of the Carter Family and the Beach Boys, can engage an otherwise dull melody. In time, the words get transformed into soft humming that intersects with distorted guitars wheezing in and out of tune. The rest of the album is tinged with various Middle Eastern (though “snake charmer” is probably a better description) keyboard presets and laughably groovy drum patterns. With a clearer eye to the cultures whose stereotypes they’re furthering, the Bells could have made a provocative connection between the European forms they’re comfortable with and any number of traditional Middle Eastern and Indian instruments and forms they’re interested in but not serious about.

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Re: School of Seven Bells | Alpinisms

I don't see the point of stating what any given artist could have produced in lieu of what they actually ended up producing. The judgement of music is, in the end, a very subjective activity. My experience with this music came devoid of any knowledge of the band members' earlier music (Secret Machines or On!Air!Library!) and I was completely unaware of any intent to borrow from whichever culture's music. That said, I purchased the whole set based on short samples from two or threes songs, listened to it on its own merits, and have been greatly pleased by it since. Frankly, I am glad for the groovy percussion, the snake-charmer keyboards, and the guitar, however you want to classify it. And the voices I find captivating. Several recent mornings I have awakened to these melodies playing in my head. While this may ultimately prove annoying, for now it is still a great pleasure.

By northlander on 10/24/2008 at 12:50:01

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