Alicja--Pop
Contaminated 2004
For the last several years, nobody has jumped more around the musical map while maintaining an unblemished success rate as Alicja Trout has. Whether with the Lost Sounds, Mouserocket, Nervous Patterns, or any of the countless other projects she has been a part of, if Alicja had a hand in it, you've been virtually guaranteed a taste of musical greatness. This Pop CD compiles a sampling of tracks not quite right for use in any of her other bands. Rest easy, though--this disc only serves as further proof the gal is arguably the best songwriter in the world today.
A lot of the bands Alicja's name is attached to are viewed as side projects. However, even those recordings tend to have a general sense of continuity and flow to them. Pop is the first time one of these releases must be viewed as a collection of songs and not comsumed with album in mind. Soaking this disc in as a whole, the listen feels much more disjointed than usual, due to a greater sense of stylistic shift from track to track. Eat this up with song being your primary focus and it's another flawless outing from Ms. Trout.
Yes, there is no doubt Alicja can write the hell out of a song and Pop really delivers the goods in this category. In fact, the sense of diversity featured on this disc is ultimately its greatest strength. "The Picture Looks So Small" and the super catchy "Living In Fear" both possess a dreaminess not unlike Mouserocket's output, only here filtered through an early Sonic Youth influence. "Mosquitoes" may be the most reverent track Alicja has ever served up, with Pixies-isms blatantly shining through during the chorus and bridge sections. You knew you'd get something here nearly impossible to classify, as well. "Torture Torture" occupies some weird middle ground between the Lost Sounds and Mouserocket, all the while boasting some very pure rock n' roll sections. Speaking of the Lost Sounds, "Hidden Cameras" could've almost worked for that outfit, save for a turn that sounds like go-go music on helium. The very smooth "Half As Smart As You" is a total anomaly, cultivating a vibe that can only be described as dark warmth. Still, Pop's grand champion is ultimately "I Can't Tell U," a synth-laden new wave dance track with Alicja vocalizing in the sexiest/most relaxed area of her range.
Hell, everything here is a killer, to tell you the truth. If you're not familiar with any of Alicja's other bands, it might be best to go check out one of those albums first. Sooner or later though, you'll want this. Whenever this hits your ears, know that you'll be getting songs crafted at a quality level far exceeding practically everything else out there. With Pop, Alicja's perfect track record remains intact. The listener wins again. (Note: word has it this disc will be getting a reworking/reshuffling before being "officially" released via Dirtnap Records. Both original press and re-press will be available through the Contaminated site, as they become available.)
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