School of Seven Bells Issue #38

Alpinisims (Ghostly International)

By A. Rice
Published: December 1st, 2008 | 12:04am

Brooklyn psychedelia has fostered a new class of alchemists: Fronted by harmonious twin sister vocalists Alejandra and Claudia Deheza (On!Air!Library!), School Of Seven Bells’ debut, Alpinisms, is flourished by guitarist Ben Curtis, formerly of the Secret Machines.

“How does someone with nothing end / Up with so much to show for it?” The disco-laden “Connjur” is backed by Curtis’ electro avant-garde licks, reminiscent of the former sibling alliance. Rest assured, however, SVIIB are not TSM. The Machines are heavily brooding and progressive. The Bells are futuristic magic meets monastical choir chant.

“White Elephant Coat” conveys their surreal musical vision, as sisters Deheza endow mesmerizing accompaniment to a prowling Blonde Redhead bass line. Strapped in by sleigh bells, Claudia creates tribal percussion with maracas and tambourine while Alejandra bestows snakecharming keyboard hooks. The Dehezas’ layered neo-Celtic mantra is evocative and ghostly. Echoing chords from Curtis offer a meditative mood and higher spiritual awareness.

Alpinisms is a boycott of shallow hipster values and talentless electronic melody. Catchy Ladytron beats, angelic hymns, and guitar wizardry make for an evolution of laptop smart-pop that has no doubt found its place in the future of music, knocking Seven Bells out of the Brooklyn psychedelic realm. Groovy.

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