Alexandria Quartet – Wide Range Rock
LONDON – The Alexandria Quartet and I had a weird, synchronous moment. I was loving Justine by The Alexandria Quartet (different band) over in October’s NNME and a few hours later, Alexandria Quartet (no ‘The’) found my MySpace and messaged me, wondering if I’d be interested in reviewing them.
Favourably disposed, I listened to the five tracks off their debut EP, The Daydreams of Youth, I was so generously offered.
Going on the very catchy opening tracks, Five Minute Zeitgeist and Through The Back Door, I was all set for some modern, melodious, slightly scuzzy post-punk indie rock, so how surprised was I to hear Manor House Girl? So unexpected! It’s rock without rocks, heading towards folk, delicate in a masculine way.
It’s Just A Ride is like an early 90s indie anthem, the kind that was played loud at every good party.
Finishing, we hear why they’re a quartet in the traditional sense. Nostalgia looks over it’s shoulder to the 60s and people like Syd Barrett and The Pentangle. Hippy, folky rock multi-layered and textured, keeping it interesting on every listen.
Alexandria Quartet are: Adam Donen (vocals, guitar), Dafna Dekel (drums, hangpan, percussion), Tom Dewey (keyboards, vocals, whisky), Simon Aulwich (bass)
There’s nice scope here. A breadth of knowledge and an ability to deliver. Musically, there’s much promise which, to my mind, makes them ‘ones to watch’.
The Daydreams of Youth EP is out now.
