La Peste - Alabama 3 > Reviews > Its Gonna Be Alright

Author's product rating:   

Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Value for Money

Advantages:	Mansion On The Hill
Disadvantages:	The Thrills Have Gone

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I was not surprised to find that this Album had not been opinionated. For if you have not heard of the Alabama 3, then you are a member of the vast majority who have not. Their music is best described, in their own words, as Acid House Gospel Country Music. As you can imagine with a musical background like this, they are also eccentric, eclectic, and surreal.

The Band (Of which there are eight, and not three) are a bizarre mix. With the lead vocals led by Larry Love and The Very Reverend Dr. D. Wayne Love of the First Prelysterian Church of Elvis the Divine (UK) – Yes, that is his real name, and he is a Minister for the Church of Elvis – with the band promoting their Let’s Buy Missippi Fund. This is a band, like the KLF, that know how not to take themselves too seriously.

That does not mean their songs are in anyway less valid. “Too Sick Too Pray” is a very telling song of the ennui within the Church, there is the passive/aggressive feel to “Strange” giving a stark look at the society in which we live. But not all of their songs are a bitter look at life, for “Mansion On The Hill” is a great song to get you in a mood for a night out.

What is refreshing is that the band accept that the Club Culture from with which they originate and are most associated with. Is also fraught with danger from E and other drug use. Despite the obvious enjoyment with which they enjoy the said scene, the track “Cocaine (Killed My Community)” spells out the brutal facts of drug abuse.

Onw thing I will declare though, is that Alabama 3 are not Dance. It is an unfortunate truth in this day and age, that anyone with a guitar next to keyboards is labeled as “genre-busting”. But the Alabama 3 are one of the few bands that really are such a style. I have not seen many bands who use dual vocals, synth's, air guitars (Wearing a purple afro), and drums, that have worked to such a refined level.

Musically, it is well produced, But if you are looking for a raw edge to your music, then this is not where you will find it. This has been well put together, and the aggression is one of controlled sniping, rather than screaming anger. How this translates into a live set remains to be seen.

The cover art work match’s the mood of the tracks, and hence is very moody and stark, and suits the theme of this album. The internal monologue on hegemony and the defense of their musical style is quite interesting.

Overall, this is a pretty good album. While it will not make the top ten, it does deserve a place within your CD Rack.