Album Review: Alpha Hopper – Alpha Hex Index

After six listens, I’m still a little lost on the lyrical content of this wonderfully off kilter, riot girl, punk, experimental slice of pleasantness, a moment of self indulgence comes to mind (on my part that is).  Yes I managed to pick out some semblance of what this whole piece is about, but not sharing with the reader, is my way of not looking a fool when I get it all horribly wrong. Do we need a lyric sheet?  Yes and yet no! 

‘In The Desert In The West’ sets off straight into all the wild non punk, yet punk moments of screeching guitars, screeching vocals and frantic drums all held together loosely by a steady bass line, this theme is kind of repeated throughout the length and breadth of this album, and believe me there is certainly breadth too it.  Take ‘Big Body’, it lulls you into thinking the norm is about to be set upon your ears, with a standard drum beat intro, this lasts all of about 10 secs, then we are thrown into a special world of non conforming to any constraints musically, this then fades away as if all were normal in the world, wonderful! 

‘The Goods’ could be the song that has more punk guitar than any other song I’ve heard, riff after riff played with every bit of style that might exist within the punk genre and beyond, coming up with the goods (was that the intention? Hmm).

As mentioned previously, six listens and still counting, gives up more and more every time, the layers f depth within this album are like a painting to be enjoyed over and over.  No this would not be to everyones taste, but if your a bit of a John Peel at heart, this will do nicely.

Oh and did I mention the strange Hash songs (anyone know where the hash key is on a Mac?) interludes I think, just to give the brain time to readjust.

So to ‘Spiral’ not the last track, but the best on the album for this weird music loving guy, short, full of moments that almost gel, but then spirals off into something else entirely, and why not?

All in all a very well put together rollercoaster of a ride that exhilarates.

Nice to not have to worry about what’s being said too, just enjoy what you think it might be!

Out on November 2oth, you can buy your copy or stream HERE

Connect with the band on their FACEBOOK

Visit Hex Records HERE