Daily Alice - Daily Alice

Daily Alice

Daily Alice
self-released; 2014

4.1 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By J Simpson

Canada has a strong history of art pop, from the ornate orchestral strains of the Broken Social Scene and affiliates, with Feist being the most famous export - along with the neo-classicism of Godspeed You! Black Emperor and their Constellation Records.

Honestly, I miss the orchestral pop (although it still exists in the underground, as does everything). I miss the complex emotions evoked by the squeal of horse hair on strings, (as can be heard here on Daily Alice’s self-titled EP Daily Alice in the song "Animal"), the rhythmic variations, beyond the standard Ringo 4/4 backbeat, like the pulse on "postcard" - gloriously paired with glowing, sunrise synthesizer  - or the subdued, romantic waltz of "Vwoolf.”

This music may be complex, but it is not difficult. There's nothing conceptual or abrasive about Daily Alice. This is pop music, in the tradition of latter day Beatles, or the chamber pop of Ken Stringfellow, Andrew Bird, certain moments of R.E.M. The standard intro/verse/chorus/verse/bridge/chorus/chorus/finale is adhered to but filigreed, dipped in gold and encrusted with diamonds.

When orchestral elements are accessible, like on Daily Alice, it opens the opportunity for a whole new generation of listeners to fall in love with classical genres - symphonies, chamber music and jazz. It introduces mastery and classicism into the mainstream culture, which is a public service indeed. While I enjoy many of pop's mutations of the last nine years - the R&B mutations, the return of synthpop, the synthesis of organic and electronic elements - pop also has a tendency to become brasher, flashier, as the volume increases to cut through the line noise until it's no longer inviting or seductive but shouting in your face. Listen to a few seconds of K-Pop (although I like some of that music, as well), for evidence of this.

I like to think that musicianship, passion, commitment and excellent songwriting speak louder than the loudest compression, or the hypiest marketing campaign. When something's really good, it barely needs any advertising at all. People will be begging for it.

This is the kind of world I want to live in, where people notice and appreciate talent and hard work when they see it, and reward those responsible for it. In a just world, Daily Alice would sell out in minutes and foster an armada of imitators.

Let the revolution begin now! 

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