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'How does one describe a flavor of music when no description really does it justice? This enigma is one that puzzles all those who have sat in for one of the mercurial spectacles that is an Alpha Centauri concert. New ideas and new energies emerge each time the group gathers.'~ Rebecca Jackson, SCSUniversity Chronicle 'You’ve heard the old adage, “What’s in a name?” In the case of The Alpha Centauri’s second release, Stoic, the name strikes the heart of the entire lyrical content of the album. A Stoic is someone who subscribes to the Greek philosophy, Stoicism, which holds that truly wise men live free from passion, unmoved by either pleasure or pain, and submissive to natural law.
If Stoicism is a sound theory, The Alpha Centauri are five men struggling to become wiser men. The 11 tracks on Stoic are filled with painful heartache, yearning and social detachment. Accompanying the melancholy lyrics on Stoic is an equally damp and delusional sound fueled by an endless barrage of samples, synths and whimsical guitar effects.
A feeling of both space and motion are most pervasive on Stoic, appropriate for a band named after the nearest star system to our sun. The opening track, “Handshakes and Smiles,” exemplifies the breadth of the album and the band—opening with a sample of classical stringed instruments abruptly interrupted by simple strumming on an acoustic guitar, the song gains speed courtesy a hypnotically-spacey synth beat and is further characterized by the howling vocals of Lance Conrad.
“I think I’m better off alone/I walk amongst the handshakes and smiles that stretch on for miles/I’m lost in piles of broken home/Do you feel superfluous?/I can reassure you: You’re not alone.”
Conrad is a tenor with superlative range who sings in a free-flowing manner, as if he were reciting epic poetry. As such, you can’t always understand what he’s saying, but you’ll never fail to understand the emotive thrust behind the lyrics—that usually being of deep despair, longing and desperation.
While labeled and shelved as “progressive rock,” the innovative arrangements and sounds produced on Stoic make the album, as well as The Alpha Centauri themselves, wholly indescribable—a characteristic that should keep their star shining bright on the celestial map that is the music industry.
'~ Steve Sanoski, The Ripsaw 'I am blown away by the extravagant sounds, depth, and energy throughout this entire album. There is a very well mixed sound of indie rock, classical elements, and electronic sounds. These guys have found another dimension in music and have practically spelled it out for us here in their album, “Stoic.” If you close your eyes and listen through this album, or turn off the lights and have candles burning, or how ever you can get in a listening mood…you will be taken to a new place.
There is something about the sense of creativity in this album that will bring you closer to the album, wanting more, and not wanting to stop it, almost becoming one with the inner depth. What is it? I think it’s the combination of many styles and unconventional sounds, especially in this assumed genre of music. This album will blow you away. The Alpha Centauri has redefined and opened doors to newly found styles and sounds that should help drive the momentum of creativity in their music forever.
I have many favorite songs on this album, but I had to pick one…I do love the entire album!'~ Erik Beyer, OnlineRock.com |
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