Nine Black Alps

Most albums wear out, but this one can always play through. It's good straight ahead rock that borrows hooky riffs from other bands when they open up("Just Friends" sound like JET, "Everybody Is" sounds like a Dead Milkmen song), but they quickly lock into a solid rock tune, remaining true to their form but also never boring.

Listen to it.

Another next big Brit-thing to come across the seas. Although these guys write pretty good songs, it was hard to put them past some of the more exciting releases like Arctic Monkeys or Dirty Pretty Things. Either way, There's plenty to like about this disc, you just might not be playing it too much 5 years from now...

Witty and cleverly executed post grunge rock from some young Manchester Lads? Produced by Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith)?
Don't mind if I do. Thank you.
Stay tuned to these guys.
Best moment: The rusty slide guitars on the acoustic "Intermission"

I hate Nirvana, always have. So by comparison, I should hate Nine Black Alps. Weird, huh? I can't explain why, because I can see why people relate the 2 but Nine Black Alps have something different. Better EVERYTHING. It's catchier, better riffs, better vocals, and definitely more air guitar-able. They remind me of a young Burning Brides but with more oomph than BB's debut. A lot of the songs have this swirling feeling that leads around to a riff laden chorus. It's grunge, kind of. It's garage rock, kind of. But one thing that it doesn't fail to be vague on, is that it is a definite rock'n'roll record.

I guess that is an explanation.

I picked this up for $3 at a used cd store. I saw it and remembered having heard them compared to Nirvana, so I took a chance seeing as I wasn't going to waste $15 or anything. I was impressed by the sound, very grunge and still relevant, much like the rock revolution that occured around 2003 or 2004 (namely the Hives, Vines, Strokes etc). "Cosmopolitan" is the best track, and although it gets repeditive at times, it's a solid record. "Behind Your Eyes" and "Intermission" are two folkier acoustic tracks and this band makes them work. The lyrics are well written and socially insightful at times. Worth checking out if you're into Nirvana or the Vines. The only disappointment for me was that "Southern Cross" wasn't a CSN cover.

I'll give this Manchester band some slack for two things, being very young and not producing anything on their sophomore effort that really grates the ears. Mostly it's hard power pop, like "Bitter End", but they can also get stuck into the big concept power ballad thing, and "Under the Sun" kind of craps out in the end. The two leaders claim Sonic Youth as their favorite band, but I don't hear that, more like an English-tinged Todd Rungren, mixed with a combination of other bands, and even Nirvana/Pixies in "Forget My Name", which might be a kind of a joke it steals so obviously (just listen!). But the rest of the song drifts right back into the bright hooks that characterize the CD.

Not everything works, "So In Love" is a grungy waste of time, "Happiness" uses atonal Oasis hooks which don't fit. "Heavier" wobbles out of the best groove too much. But there's plenty of nice passages that they should be able to build on a few albums out if they stick with it.

You've got to watch for these guys. Pure unadulterated high energy and raucous rock and roll. it's nothing really mind-blowing or complicated, it's very simple stuff really, but something about these guys...they just 'click' together perfectly. i'm sure they've blown out more than their fair share of amps and house p.a. systems. right out of the gates, "Cosmopolitan" kicks you into their high paced brit-rock power chord world and doesn't let you out until 4 tracks later with 'Ilana Song'...but don't worry...no more dance beat rock songs...if this isn't rock n' roll, nothing is! oh, and they've even got the token ballad, 'Attraction' which is...actually good!

Good album, hopefully the band goes in the direction of the track "Attraction". This song has great lyrics, and they blend perfectly with the soft guitar, as opposed to the heavier sound of the other songs.

Last year, I had the great pleasure of meeting the lads that make up Nine Black Alps. Before I ever saw them play, I was intrigued by their wit and intellect.
Shortly afterwards, I was witness to the private performance of the songs on this EP, and I learned that that wit and keen analytical mindset is applied in their music.

First, I have to thank Nine Black Alps for pumping some fresh life into the rock / post grunge scene. These guys know how to rock - and still maintain the artistry / integrity to realize there's something to be said for simplicity and craft. Most of their work has been produced by Tom Rothrock / Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith), and you can see some of their ability to create warmth and emotions from the slightest guitar pickings at work here.

Glitter Gulch pulls together some b sides and rarities not found on their debut album Everything Is (which I also highly recommend).
The strongest track on this album (and maybe of any Nine Black Alps song) is String Me Along: beautifully arranged, simple, and straight to the point- as well as the heart.
That song alone makes this EP worth purchasing. But the tunes just keep coming.
This whole EP is worthwhile. Anyone interested in post grunge / indie rock should feel obligated to give these guys a chance.
Believe me, they will surprise you.