Alexander The Great - Faces Change

[Blake Solomon]

Alexander The Great – Faces Change
Record Label: Crossroads of America Records
Release Date: May 19, 2009

I just wish I knew how to get through to you. If only there were a certain word, phrase or tone that could impress upon you the faith I have in Alexander The Great. It’s tricky, because if I go too out-of-this-wordly (“They gave my wretched life meaning!”), I’ll look like a weak fool. On the other hand, if I play the I-review-I’m-unbiased card (“It’s as good as an album not written in 1993 can be.”), you might just pass on Faces Change because it sounds ordinary. Oh, but it isn’t. Months with Faces Change’s synthetic backgrounds and filling lyrical passages have left me awe-struck. If 2009 ended tomorrow, at least musically, I’d be fulfilled.

And there I go again, writing sentences that couldn’t possibly be true. Maybe I’ll rephrase: Alexander The Great is an extremely talented group. Better? Good. Bryant Fox has entered the ring as a heavyweight, allowing his band to enthrall with instrumental numbers (like on lethargic “Dusk” or bells-laden “Cabin Fever”) and lyric-heavy, indie emoting (like on climactic “Home Alone In Central Park” or noisy “Tree Of Knowledge”). For a rock album, Faces Change is awfully diverse. And for a rock band, Alexander the Great is magnificently enchanting.

There are moments when you think, “I can’t believe they did that,” but there are also those all-important moments when you think, “I can’t believe nobody else thought of that!” It might be the regal horns ending “Tree of Knowledge”, or maybe it’s the opening lines of banjo-laden, one-night-stand epic “Late Night Rockitt’s” (“How many more drinks / Must you consume / Before you’re ready / to take me home with you?”), but one gets the feeling that Alexander The Great have stumbled upon something big. The Midwestern haven of Bloomington, Indiana can no longer put a stranglehold on their big band worshipping (“Mapmaking Outlines”) and Anniversary-esque emo (“Postcard”). You could peg Fox and the boys as another group of well-versed music fans, slyly compiling moments of their favorite songs into statement pieces. While it’s clear their love for music is overpowering, the band isn’t completing some 500-piece puzzle.

Closer “Jet Setting Jets” starts benignly enough. A piano happily tinkers before being crashed to bits by heavy-handed guitars and Fox’s baritone disaffectedness. Rather than borrowing from others here, “Jet Setting Jets” actually combines pieces from throughout Faces Change into a fast-paced, pleasing exit. The song picks up speed quickly, as if moving downhill, and then abruptly stops with the words: “We’re all gonna / Burn out someday.” And although you don’t need a science lesson, it’s obvious that the biggest stars have the biggest burnouts. Cascading sheets of light and fire explode through the sky; even in death a lasting impression is formed. Although not to this level yet, at least popularity wise, Alexander The Great are clearly harboring a tumultuous fire within.


Recommended If You Like: Mason Proper, Manchester Orchestra, whoa (http://vincentloy.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/petronas2.jpg), ...Trail of Dead, snap (http://www.soulassassins.com/wp-content/uploads/tallest-building.jpg)


www.myspace.com/alexanderthegreatin

[Blake Solomon]

not many albums will be better than this one in 2009.

preorder this now: http://xrasite.webs.com/catalog.html

[c_rob2700]

Holy shit, I had no idea they were from here! Someone not named John Mellencamp makes music from Bloomington? Unreal.
I've been looking for some 2009 albums to check out. My record store always has a local section for their music so I will most defnitely be giving this a chance. Really good review, Blake

[Klatzke]

I'd heard of these guys from somewhere and it made me open up this review.. Just listened and i'm digging it - though i'm not too hot on the vocals. Excellent, excellently well written review.

[zFrog]

Manchester Orchestra?, ..Trail of the dead?, will listen.

[Broden Terry]

This sounds interesting. 9.5 for lyrics sounds great. I'll definitely give this a listen. Fantastic review Blake.

[CLARIFY THIS]

This sounds very interesting.

[bradnewman]

Not bad stuff... for some reason i can hear some appleseed cast in their

[Blake Solomon]

Not bad stuff... for some reason i can hear some appleseed cast in their

Yeah, I would say there are hints of that in there, also a comparison to brand new is all but inevitable.

[Keagan Ilvonen]

This band is soooo good. I need to order this album asap. Awesome job Blake.

[theguilt engine]

Yeah, I would say there are hints of that in there, also a comparison to brand new is all but inevitable.
Bryant's a cool dude.

[spansen]

Holy shit, I had no idea they were from here! Someone not named John Mellencamp makes music from Bloomington? Unreal.
I've been looking for some 2009 albums to check out. My record store always has a local section for their music so I will most defnitely be giving this a chance. Really good review, Blake
really? have you been living under a rock? there's plenty of good bands in bloomington, even when ATG is already named.

[spansen]

not many albums will be better than this one in 2009.

preorder this now: http://xrasite.webs.com/catalog.html
great write-up, blake. ya did my friends well.

[c_rob2700]

really? have you been living under a rock? there's plenty of good bands in bloomington, even when ATG is already named.
Nahh, I'm just not in the local music scene enough to know. I stopped going (and paying attention) to Rhino's a while ago because of the terrible bands they bring in so you can call it "living under a rock" all you want. I'm not some feeble minded scene kid who swallows all the shit that's thrown at him. I'm not going to go to see a terrible band every friday to "support the local music scene" if they're terrible. I'm sorry, I'm not. Book someone besides horrendous MySpace rip off bands and Xenosound (the only band ever apparently) then we'll talk. I discovered a really great band on AP (being Alexander The Great) not knowing they're from here and apparently I "live under a rock"? Get the fuck out of here

I'll be buying this album to simply support great music. Their may be good bands that play at other venues but I'm not 21, I can't get in to the actual good bands that come here so I'm stuck going to an all ages scene club if I want to see local music aka terrible scene bands. Trust me, being yelled at by some Bluebirds bouncer because I tried to get in to The Hold Steady is better than sitting through the garbage that Rhino's jocks.

[Blake Solomon]

really? have you been living under a rock? there's plenty of good bands in bloomington, even when ATG is already named.
definitely agree, shoulda went to IU

[spansen]

Nahh, I'm just not in the local music scene enough to know. I stopped going (and paying attention) to Rhino's a while ago because of the terrible bands they bring in so you can call it "living under a rock" all you want. I'm not some feeble minded scene kid who swallows all the shit that's thrown at him. I'm not going to go to see a terrible band every friday to "support the local music scene" if they're terrible. I'm sorry, I'm not. Book someone besides horrendous MySpace rip off bands and Xenosound (the only band ever apparently) then we'll talk. I discovered a really great band on AP (being Alexander The Great) not knowing they're from here and apparently I "live under a rock"? Get the fuck out of here

I'll be buying this album to simply support great music. Their may be good bands that play at other venues but I'm not 21, I can't get in to the actual good bands that come here so I'm stuck going to an all ages scene club if I want to see local music aka terrible scene bands. Trust me, being yelled at by some Bluebirds bouncer because I tried to get in to The Hold Steady is better than sitting through the garbage that Rhino's jocks.
i turned twenty one not even 2 weeks ago, and i've seen alexander the great at the very least twenty times. they play house shows, venues (the cinemat, rhino's, etc.).. you're not confined to rhino's just because your underaged, you just have to care enough about the music to follow a band around.

bryant is one of the founding persons of the statehouse, a house which has held a shit ton of shows in their basement the last two years-- yet you haven't been there?.. i'm a volunteer at rhino's, and there pretty regularly. i often times don't like a lot of the music there, but they're not solely in charge of who plays when. bands ASK them to play, and we sync them up with shows where they match. no need to go and blow up on me. you'd have heard of ATG if you were interested enough in your own music scene. we've got plenty here, just have to make an attempt to get into it.
definitely agree, shoulda went to IU
i love it.

[c_rob2700]

i turned twenty one not even 2 weeks ago, and i've seen alexander the great at the very least twenty times. they play house shows, venues (the cinemat, rhino's, etc.).. you're not confined to rhino's just because your underaged, you just have to care enough about the music to follow a band around.

bryant is one of the founding persons of the statehouse, a house which has held a shit ton of shows in their basement the last two years-- yet you haven't been there?.. i'm a volunteer at rhino's, and there pretty regularly. i often times don't like a lot of the music there, but they're not solely in charge of who plays when. bands ASK them to play, and we sync them up with shows where they match. no need to go and blow up on me. you'd have heard of ATG if you were interested enough in your own music scene. we've got plenty here, just have to make an attempt to get into it.


I do care about the music but have no way of finding/following GOOD local bands and when/where they play. I hate all the kids that associate themselves with Rhino's therefore I've completely lost all touch with the place. My problem is that I love/know more about music than probably anyone that goes to South but I have no way of finding other kids with mutual interest. I don't dress scene, and don't like scene music so therefore I have no friends who are into music at all. Which is why I'm completely confined to finding out everything by myself. I have NOBODY to talk with music about which is why I find everything out through this place.

No, like I've said, I've only been to Rhino's a couple of times when I first moved here and haven't been to a local show since. I'll whole heartedly admit that I know little to nothing of Blommington's music scene outside of Rhino's. But again, I have no friends to go downtown with and/or local shows. I have no idea where to go, or even where to start. I know no one at my high school who shares similar interests music wise nor do I have any connections to the local scene. Maybe I'm living under a rock when it comes to local bands here but it's not my fault. The only place where I can talk and share my passion for music is AP. I was just suprised that when I opened up this review to see that they were from Bloomington and even better, they got a great score from a reviewer who's opinion on music I really respect.

[Blake Solomon]

I do care about the music but have no way of finding/following GOOD local bands and when/where they play. I hate all the kids that associate themselves with Rhino's therefore I've completely lost all touch with the place. My problem is that I love/know more about music than probably anyone that goes to South but I have no way of finding other kids with mutual interest. I don't dress scene, and don't like scene music so therefore I have no friends who are into music at all. Which is why I'm completely confined to finding out everything by myself. I have NOBODY to talk with music about which is why I find everything out through this place.

No, like I've said, I've only been to Rhino's a couple of times when I first moved here and haven't been to a local show since. I'll whole heartedly admit that I know little to nothing of Blommington's music scene outside of Rhino's. But again, I have no friends to go downtown with and/or local shows. I have no idea where to go, or even where to start. I know no one at my high school who shares similar interests music wise nor do I have any connections to the local scene. Maybe I'm living under a rock when it comes to local bands here but it's not my fault. The only place where I can talk and share my passion for music is AP. I was just suprised that when I opened up this review to see that they were from Bloomington and even better, they got a great score from a reviewer who's opinion on music I really respect.
maybe spansen can be your musical mentor around those parts? Let's not fight. Let's love!

[c_rob2700]

maybe spansen can be your musical mentor around those parts? Let's not fight. Let's love!
Not really fighting. I was just in a "I'm going to type out a long pointless rant about how I have no musical friends" kinda mood. Annnnnnnyyyywaaaayy, I checked out the album on their MySpace yesterday after reading this and liked what I heard. I'll most likely be picking this up at one of our local stores

[spansen]

maybe spansen can be your musical mentor around those parts? Let's not fight. Let's love!
seconded
Not really fighting. I was just in a "I'm going to type out a long pointless rant about how I have no musical friends" kinda mood. Annnnnnnyyyywaaaayy, I checked out the album on their MySpace yesterday after reading this and liked what I heard. I'll most likely be picking this up at one of our local stores
myspace.com/livefrombloomington is a good start.

but, as far as bands in town you should reasearch? spank ray, husband&wife, alexander the great, the delicious, busman's holiday, prizzy prizzy please, totally michael, good luck, jonah malarsky, eric radoux, red bird, ep hall, impure jazz, you're a liar, feso, the country death, everybody, prayer breakfast, kentucky nightmare.... etc.

from those bands you'll find more bands and more bands.. etc.
that list is of bands who live in bloomington, i could give you plenty more indy-area bands, too.

[c_rob2700]

myspace.com/livefrombloomington is a good start.

but, as far as bands in town you should reasearch? spank ray, husband&wife, alexander the great, the delicious, busman's holiday, prizzy prizzy please, totally michael, good luck, jonah malarsky, eric radoux, red bird, ep hall, impure jazz, you're a liar, feso, the country death, everybody, prayer breakfast, kentucky nightmare.... etc.

from those bands you'll find more bands and more bands.. etc.
that list is of bands who live in bloomington, i could give you plenty more indy-area bands, too.

Thanks, I'll be checking all those out before the end of the night. I do want to go to shows it's just I've never really known when/where they are happening, so I'll probably start looking into it more. Never knew that bands like ATG even existed here so it's kind of cool. I'll probably make a thread soon to try and promote them on this site. Landlocked/Tracks will probably be carrying it on the 5th, I'm assuming?

[spansen]

they might actually already have them. maybe.

the cd has been mastered and digitally their's for like 6 months or so at this point.. they got the physical copies last month and have boxes of them in their house.

[c_rob2700]

Oh, well I'm picking up the Manchester Orchestra CD/EP at Landlocked tomorrow so if it's there I'll grab it

[atgrock]

the boys here at camp Alexander the Great thank you kindly for the review and sincere words. C rob, you can pick up a cd at my house anytime, you can call me at 812-327-7841. Want to experience good local music? Come to the statehouse this friday at 10pm at 321 E. Wylie St. Bloomington, IN 47401 for some kick ass rock and roll!

[c_rob2700]

the boys here at camp Alexander the Great thank you kindly for the review and sincere words. C rob, you can pick up a cd at my house anytime, you can call me at 812-327-7841. Want to experience good local music? Come to the statehouse this friday at 10pm at 321 E. Wylie St. Bloomington, IN 47401 for some kick ass rock and roll!
I definitely will be checking out these local shows more often now. Hopefully, I can make it this Friday dad's a minister at SOCC, not too prone on my music But yeah, thanks to you guys for opening my eyes to Bloomington's music scene.

[c_rob2700]

See what you did, Blake? You gave my wretched life meaning!

[spansen]

look at bryant, hittin up the interwebs.

[splitsecond]

is this the highest score blake has ever given?

[Hoodrich219]

this thread rules.

ATG is saucy and fun.

Bloomington ftw.

[AEast317]

Nahh, I'm just not in the local music scene enough to know. I stopped going (and paying attention) to Rhino's a while ago because of the terrible bands they bring in so you can call it "living under a rock" all you want. I'm not some feeble minded scene kid who swallows all the shit that's thrown at him. I'm not going to go to see a terrible band every friday to "support the local music scene" if they're terrible. I'm sorry, I'm not. Book someone besides horrendous MySpace rip off bands and Xenosound (the only band ever apparently) then we'll talk. I discovered a really great band on AP (being Alexander The Great) not knowing they're from here and apparently I "live under a rock"? Get the fuck out of here

I'll be buying this album to simply support great music. Their may be good bands that play at other venues but I'm not 21, I can't get in to the actual good bands that come here so I'm stuck going to an all ages scene club if I want to see local music aka terrible scene bands. Trust me, being yelled at by some Bluebirds bouncer because I tried to get in to The Hold Steady is better than sitting through the garbage that Rhino's jocks.
wow really? there are great local shows all the time at places like the cinemat, buskirk chumley, waldron arts center, in peoples basements, and on campus.

speaking of great all ages shows, damiera played tonight at the cinemat and only 9 people showed up......

edit* just read the whole thread and feel kinda bad for the kid.
listen, just start going to shows, you'll make friends. its better than sitting at home.

also, ATG is awesome, love those dudes, can't wait to hear the full record.

[Broden Terry]

I'm just about to give this a listen based of this review. I'm expecting good things. :nod:

[Blake Solomon]

is this the highest score blake has ever given?
not sure if it's the highest, but it's definitely top 5. This album rules.

[c_rob2700]

wow really? there are great local shows all the time at places like the cinemat, buskirk chumley, waldron arts center, in peoples basements, and on campus.

speaking of great all ages shows, damiera played tonight at the cinemat and only 9 people showed up......

edit* just read the whole thread and feel kinda bad for the kid.
listen, just start going to shows, you'll make friends. its better than sitting at home.

also, ATG is awesome, love those dudes, can't wait to hear the full record.
Yeah, the tone of the conversation changed after the first page.

[theguilt engine]

great write-up, blake. ya did my friends well.
agreed, this record is awesome.