After leaving their past bands and moving in together, School of Seven Bells' members immersed themselves in their art, and it shows on Alpinisms, their auspicious (and newly reissued) 2008 debut. With Secret Machines' Benjamin Curtis, twins Claudia and Alejandra Deheza blend shoegazer pop with throbbing beats and haunting melodies. Harkening back to the dreamy mystery of Lush and My Bloody Valentine, School of Seven Bells nevertheless cultivates a vibe that's friendly and inviting.
The mesmerizing "Wired for Light" hearkens back to the distinct mood of U2's Achtung Baby, as a pulsating, head-nodding beat provides the backdrop for a dream world in which "wishes turn out orphans" and "the space is wired for light." The swirl of sounds and words may seem distant, but the song is still plenty warm — an engaging soundtrack to the journey into a trancelike state.
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Copyright 2009 KEXP
