ALPHA REV

Bloom

Austin based band Alpha Rev is maturing - and they know it. Hence their third album's title, Bloom. The band balances the mix of the past and present, delving into American history, the heartland, and uncovering its emotional depth. The album opener "Lexington" details the love and pain shared between loved ones, based on actual letters exchanged between soldiers and families during the Civil War. This kind of grappling with the past is met with other songs like 'Black Sky,' 'Lonely Man,' and 'When You Gonna Run,' all dealing with tragic loss. Nevertheless, the the band plays on, and refuse to let the story end in tragedy. Instrument-wise, the band is also good. Radiohead chillness to hymnal harmonies at some points, Alpha Rev certainly stretches the meaning of alternative. Perhaps band member Casey McPherson says is best, stating "To bloom implies something beautiful is going to happen, but it's a process--just like our own journeys." - Jacqueline Ristola

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 05/2006

    Pinetop Seven
    The Night's Bloom

  • reviewed 06/2007

    The Clientele
    God Save the Clientele

  • reviewed 03/2007

    Son Volt
    The Search

  • reviewed 04/2007

    WILLY MASON
    If the Ocean Gets Rough

  • reviewed 07/2006

    GUSTER
    Ganging up on the Sun

  • reviewed 01/2007

    THE POSTMARKS
    The Postmarks

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.