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A few weeks ago, I randomly came across a band called Alice Sweet Alice, aka ASA, on vox,
which sparked a memory of an old horror movie of the same name. I am
assuming the band got their name from the same movie, although I can't
be for certain, but seeing as their latest release, Moloko & Ultraviolence is an obvious reference to another movie, Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange", I guess they have a fondness for 70s movies.
Before I talk more about Moloko & Ultraviolence, I should give you a little background on the movie "Alice, Sweet Alice" (aka "Communion" or "Holy Terror"). It was one of those bargain bootleg VHS that my parents picked up at Pic N Save. While the bootleg VHS quality is horrible, it was certainly frightening especially for a 10 year old.
I recently Netflixed the DVD for
"research" for this album review, and was happy to note that DVD
quality is so much better than what I've seen in the past. Check out this image
capture still of Brooke Shields, who briefly appeared in the film was
Alice's sister, Karen.
Based on the commentary (which seems to have been recorded for the laserdisc reissue), the movie is one of the most widely bootlegged film, next to "Night of the Living Dead", due to the lawyer's forgetfulness of putting a copyright on the print film.
Although the film was shot in New Jersey, the visuals and directions was inspired by European horror (like the Italian Giallo genre). They only had one retractable knife, and most of the wardrobe were purchased at thrift stores. Everyday items, like the raincoat and the translucent doll's masks, was made terrifying!
The movie still holds up to this date, and I would wholeheartedly suggest you check out the film if you're into a psychological/mystery slash movie.
As for ASA, this is a "psychogothic" band from Missouri. They are not only interested in 70s movies, but it would seem their music is also inspired by 80s European music. I hear a lot of Bauhaus, Joy Division, and Siouxsie, on their latest album, Moloko & Ultraviolence (released on May 12th on Cauldron Soundwerx).
Unlike those bands with just one primary singer, the vocals on ASA are usually alternating between keyboardist Ali Kat and bassist Scott Martinez. The deeper vocals of Martinez, which sometime acts as a nice counterbalance Kat's sweet voice. My favorite Martinez singing can be found on "Legends of the Po", who sounds very much like early technopopper Information Society.
Each song on Moloko & Ultraviolence creates a sense of story and drama, which although not as "ultra violent", but they are dark songs. The songs also seem to rely on technology, especially on the percussions.
My easily favorite song on the album is "Weeping Lily", mostly sung by Kat with backing vocals from Martinez. I am assuming is about a girl name Lily and her tragedy.
If you enjoy goth or even darkwave music (but not as dancey as say The Cruxshadows or even She Wants Revenge), you definitely want to check out Alice Sweet Alice.
Moloko & Ultraviolence can be purchased at Cauldron Soundwerx (US), AMAdea Records (Bulgaria), and Ravenheart Music Records (UK), as well as CD Baby, amazon, or iTunes .
PS, apparently there will be a remake of "Alice Sweet Alice" by director/writer Alfred Sole's cousin, Dante Tomaselli, which I've read will be quite "bloody". In the meantime, you can rent or buy the DVD.
Before I talk more about Moloko & Ultraviolence, I should give you a little background on the movie "Alice, Sweet Alice" (aka "Communion" or "Holy Terror"). It was one of those bargain bootleg VHS that my parents picked up at Pic N Save. While the bootleg VHS quality is horrible, it was certainly frightening especially for a 10 year old.
Brooke Shields in Alice Sweet Alice (1976)
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Based on the commentary (which seems to have been recorded for the laserdisc reissue), the movie is one of the most widely bootlegged film, next to "Night of the Living Dead", due to the lawyer's forgetfulness of putting a copyright on the print film.
Although the film was shot in New Jersey, the visuals and directions was inspired by European horror (like the Italian Giallo genre). They only had one retractable knife, and most of the wardrobe were purchased at thrift stores. Everyday items, like the raincoat and the translucent doll's masks, was made terrifying!
The movie still holds up to this date, and I would wholeheartedly suggest you check out the film if you're into a psychological/mystery slash movie.
As for ASA, this is a "psychogothic" band from Missouri. They are not only interested in 70s movies, but it would seem their music is also inspired by 80s European music. I hear a lot of Bauhaus, Joy Division, and Siouxsie, on their latest album, Moloko & Ultraviolence (released on May 12th on Cauldron Soundwerx).
Unlike those bands with just one primary singer, the vocals on ASA are usually alternating between keyboardist Ali Kat and bassist Scott Martinez. The deeper vocals of Martinez, which sometime acts as a nice counterbalance Kat's sweet voice. My favorite Martinez singing can be found on "Legends of the Po", who sounds very much like early technopopper Information Society.
Each song on Moloko & Ultraviolence creates a sense of story and drama, which although not as "ultra violent", but they are dark songs. The songs also seem to rely on technology, especially on the percussions.
My easily favorite song on the album is "Weeping Lily", mostly sung by Kat with backing vocals from Martinez. I am assuming is about a girl name Lily and her tragedy.
If you enjoy goth or even darkwave music (but not as dancey as say The Cruxshadows or even She Wants Revenge), you definitely want to check out Alice Sweet Alice.
Moloko & Ultraviolence can be purchased at Cauldron Soundwerx (US), AMAdea Records (Bulgaria), and Ravenheart Music Records (UK), as well as CD Baby, amazon, or iTunes .
PS, apparently there will be a remake of "Alice Sweet Alice" by director/writer Alfred Sole's cousin, Dante Tomaselli, which I've read will be quite "bloody". In the meantime, you can rent or buy the DVD.
07/27/2009 02:54:58 ♥ vu (
)
♥ alicesweetalice.org ♥ myspace.com/asweetalice
