Blake Solomon
11/10/08, 12:20 AM
Alaska and Me – I Will Die in the West
Record Label: Unsigned
Release Date: November 25, 2008
Touché, Alaska and Me. I spent some 6 million words (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=311640) talking about how they should utilize female harmonizing to accomplish “that” sound they were “after.” And what did they do? They went and dropped Bethany Gentry from the band! A stab to both our hearts. (They may have split amicably, but whatever. Point is, she’s gone.) Perhaps this whole record was conceived to make me feel 3 inches tall. Perhaps a record will soon surface with Bethany Gentry adding her wistful voice to Tyler Cox’s scratchy tenor. Alaska and Me will laugh heartily as they throw darts at my flawless punim. Every other music "critic" will receive their actual new record and it will be the best of the year. I’ll be “unthanked” in the liner notes. Tim Towner will laugh so hard he cries. God will laugh so hard he farts out a dust storm.
No, I don’t consider myself an egotistical person. Why do you ask?
I Will Die in the West is truly a step up in every way. Sorry Ms. Gentry, but we don’t miss you one bit. This is the type of record douchebags will claim as their favorite when a band gets big. It’s not perfect, but it holds the treasure map to success. The band fully embraces their alt-country roots and do so with extra-special doses of electric guitar. “Last of the Breed” saunters alongside Cox’s vastly improved vocals. The background consists of eerily whirling winds, thereby adding mood and authenticity (despite the fact that such noises were probably created on a computer). This song’s buildup is oh-so worth the wait. Ian Dupiere’s drumming starts-and-stops the emotion with the precision of a synth-pop band. I Will Die's honesty more than makes up for Alaska and Me's influences-on-our-sleeves alternative rock variations.
I’m surprised it took this long before someone came along and said, “We like The Forecast, but…” Alt-country for pop fans hits a high as the staccato picking of “Gold Rush Fever” smashes right into marching snares. Cox does his best barroom open mic night impression with the lines, “I’ve got the fever inside of me / And I sing / Please, please, please / Won’t you get it out.” But the real gem of this EP is closer “Return to the Ground.” Cox sounds beleaguered, tired, sad, wise and real. As we begin to think the sparse opening will never explode, Alaska and Me let loose. Keyboards and Charles Ellsworth’s rumbling bass make an impact by giving the background depth. A normal rock song on I Will Die in the West is actually so much more. Let these gems scoot by and you’ll miss earnest lyrics (“Hallelujah / You are alive / Gunshots through you / But you survived”), complexity shrouded in catchiness (“Dallas”) and a band working through its problems in the most graceful of ways. Just goes to show you that I don’t know a damn thing.
Recommended If You Like: The Forecast, Brightwood, revisiting old friends, Marry A Thief, forgiving your 3rd grade teacher for turning down your request to marry her because you're, "Only 9."
www.myspace.com/alaskaandme (http://www.myspace.com/alaskaandme)
Record Label: Unsigned
Release Date: November 25, 2008
Touché, Alaska and Me. I spent some 6 million words (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=311640) talking about how they should utilize female harmonizing to accomplish “that” sound they were “after.” And what did they do? They went and dropped Bethany Gentry from the band! A stab to both our hearts. (They may have split amicably, but whatever. Point is, she’s gone.) Perhaps this whole record was conceived to make me feel 3 inches tall. Perhaps a record will soon surface with Bethany Gentry adding her wistful voice to Tyler Cox’s scratchy tenor. Alaska and Me will laugh heartily as they throw darts at my flawless punim. Every other music "critic" will receive their actual new record and it will be the best of the year. I’ll be “unthanked” in the liner notes. Tim Towner will laugh so hard he cries. God will laugh so hard he farts out a dust storm.
No, I don’t consider myself an egotistical person. Why do you ask?
I Will Die in the West is truly a step up in every way. Sorry Ms. Gentry, but we don’t miss you one bit. This is the type of record douchebags will claim as their favorite when a band gets big. It’s not perfect, but it holds the treasure map to success. The band fully embraces their alt-country roots and do so with extra-special doses of electric guitar. “Last of the Breed” saunters alongside Cox’s vastly improved vocals. The background consists of eerily whirling winds, thereby adding mood and authenticity (despite the fact that such noises were probably created on a computer). This song’s buildup is oh-so worth the wait. Ian Dupiere’s drumming starts-and-stops the emotion with the precision of a synth-pop band. I Will Die's honesty more than makes up for Alaska and Me's influences-on-our-sleeves alternative rock variations.
I’m surprised it took this long before someone came along and said, “We like The Forecast, but…” Alt-country for pop fans hits a high as the staccato picking of “Gold Rush Fever” smashes right into marching snares. Cox does his best barroom open mic night impression with the lines, “I’ve got the fever inside of me / And I sing / Please, please, please / Won’t you get it out.” But the real gem of this EP is closer “Return to the Ground.” Cox sounds beleaguered, tired, sad, wise and real. As we begin to think the sparse opening will never explode, Alaska and Me let loose. Keyboards and Charles Ellsworth’s rumbling bass make an impact by giving the background depth. A normal rock song on I Will Die in the West is actually so much more. Let these gems scoot by and you’ll miss earnest lyrics (“Hallelujah / You are alive / Gunshots through you / But you survived”), complexity shrouded in catchiness (“Dallas”) and a band working through its problems in the most graceful of ways. Just goes to show you that I don’t know a damn thing.
Recommended If You Like: The Forecast, Brightwood, revisiting old friends, Marry A Thief, forgiving your 3rd grade teacher for turning down your request to marry her because you're, "Only 9."
www.myspace.com/alaskaandme (http://www.myspace.com/alaskaandme)