EMI (label)
08 March 2010 (released)
11 March 2010
Although sporting a rather disconcerting picture of Johnny Depp as a Vivienne Westwood inspired Mad Hatter, 'Almost Alice’ has very little to do with the actual cinema release of Tim Burton’s latest film, 'Alice in Wonderland’. This is quite a shame actually, as adding some of these emo and pop-rock tracks to the movie might have given it a real different edge. The only connection is Avril Lavigne’s wonderful single 'Alice’ which is the closing (?) theme music to the movie. The rest of the film is scored by Danny Elfman and is an orchestral cinematic arrangement rather than using pop songs.
However, this observation aside, what you do get is a collection of tracks from some of the biggest names in teenagers musical tastes at present. The likes of Owl City, 3OH!3, Metro Station, All American Rejects, as well as members of Blink 182 and Fall Out Boy come together to deliver a range of Alice-themed tunes, with great titles like 'Tea Party’ and 'Always Running Out Of Time’.
The only other true linkages to the Alice in Wonderland films and book are the inclusion of 'No Good Advice’ which was in the original 1951 Disney animated film, and The Lobster Quadrille’ which is in the original book by Lewis Carroll but failed to make the big screen transition. The former song here is by The Cure frontman Robert Smith, and delivers a suitable eerie version. The latter is a short sharp number by Franz Ferdinand, and the lyrics adapt really well to their musical style.
The tracks are a bit of a mixed bunch – 'Wolfmother’ deliver a great 70’s inspired near Glam rock number in 'Fell Down a Hole’; Shinedown deliver plenty of energy with their slightly creepy 'Her Name is Alice’, whilst current hit maker Owl City provides an instantly recognisable sound with 'Technicolor Phase’; think 'Fireflies’ with a bit more accompaniment.
Tokio Hotel and Kerli’s track 'Strange’ is quite a routine pop-rock number but does have a good commercial feel to it. This is in fact a common theme here; these tracks are very commercial and many could be singles for the respective bands in their own right. 3OH!3’s 'Follow Me Down’ is a prime example – this could easily follow on from 'StarStrukk’ – extremely catchy and guest vocalist add Neon Hitch carries on where Katy Perry left off.
'In Transit’ also requires special mention for getting Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy together with Mark Hoppus Blink-182. The end result is surprisingly understated bearing in mind their bands pedigrees.
This really is an intriguing concept album and you need to understand the target audience here. What you are then left with is an album of Alice inspired tracks from some of the biggest names in UK / US music at present.
Worth a listen.
1. Alice - Avril Lavigne
2. The Poison - The All-American Rejects
3. The Technicolor Phase - Owl City
4. Her Name Is Alice - Shinedown
5. Painting Flowers - All Time Low
6. Where’s My Angel - Metro Station
7. Strange - Tokio Hotel and Kerli
8. Follow Me Down - 3OH!3 featuring Neon Hitch
9. Very Good Advice - Robert Smith
10. In Transit - Mark Hoppus with Pete Wentz
11. Welcome to Mystery - Plain White T’s
12. Tea Party - Kerli
13. The Lobster Quadrille - Franz Ferdinand
14. Always Running Out of Time - Motion City Soundtrack
15. Fell Down A Hole - Wolfmother
16. White Rabbit - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
