Alfa 9
Alfa 9’s third long player is a heady mix of influences that are worn clearly on their sleeves.
With sixties melodic jangly pop and west coast US psychedelia coming to the fore, The Byrds being a huge reference point, but including undeniable Country & Western and Spaghetti Western leanings.
The bands harmonious layered vocals would also not have sounded out-of-place in the 90’s alongside more modern luminaries like Burgess and Brown. To an extent you can also hear an element of the lush dreamy sounds of shoegaze bands such as Slowdive and Chapterhouse from around that time.
With this mix of influences, it is natural that different styles come to the fore at different times on the album.
My Sweet Movida
Take the track the album title comes from. “Movida” has both feet firmly planted in the desert sand with dust bunnies and tumbleweed flying around. The song could take pride of place on any Ennio Morricone spaghetti western soundtrack. Complete with authentic whistling, you can almost picture a lone figure standing on the horizon complete with sombrero, and cigar in mouth. The cover art reflects this feeling perfectly.
Album opener “Smile Dog” is the first taster from the new album and it is a mix of 60s west coast harmonies, tremulous guitar and 90s indie-pop sensibilities.
“A Different Corner” is pure 60s pop harmonies and melodies but brought into the 21st century , easily competing with the likes of The Coral, on “Darkest Sea” the country and western influence is pushed stage front while “Rise” is blissfully smooth and dreamy, with sweet velvety guitar breaks. “Coincidence Flies” mixes the 60s west coast psychedelia, with country influences as the song fades.
The song-writing is strong throughout, the melodies sweet, the delectable vocal harmonies soar high and far. A luscious collection of effervescent tunes.
The band
Phil Mason – Guitar/Vocals
Ali Heath – Guitar Vocals
Leon Jones – Guitar
John Bradbury – Drums
Album release details
The album is available on LP/CD/DL and will be released on Blow Up Records on 30th March 2018.
On the eve of its release (29/3), the band will play a local gig in Stoke-on-Trent.
The band will play an exclusive London launch show on the 7th of April with support from Usselman. Their single “Tongue Tied” was also released on Blow Up at the end of 2017. Their debut album “All Fun and Games Until Everyone Goes Blind” is due out soon.