CD Review of Call Me Alice's Sweet New Disease.

CALL ME ALICE - Sweet New Disease
2002



by Wa.thedeadpoets.org

Call Me Alice.
The name alone suggests a cocoon of transformation, of acceptance.

Self-proclaimed misfits, Crosby (abstract vocal communication), Epiphany (Low Frequency Encryption), Jude (Sonic Simulation), Aughustine (Meolodic Wire Induction), and Thrawn (Percussive Instigation) openly invite all those who feel different, out of sync, to join them and revel in all things odd and out of place. Simply put, San Diego based CALL ME ALICE is probably one of most polished independent space rock/goth/glam acts in America today.

Their style is entirely and refreshingly original and as is the case with most visionaries who are difficult to categorize. Sweet New Disease contains elements of Ziggy Stardust, Alice in Wonderland (the novel of course), A Perfect Circle, Orgy and Heart. Presented with a romantic and spacy image, CALL ME ALICE is the captivating accident you don't dare keep your eyes from for a moment.

Sweet New Disease, their second release is a space rock exploration that includes five new tracks and three re-interpretations by well known mixer John X (who worked with David Bowie, Marilyn Manson, Korn, and Orgy) and Liquid Kid.

The original material was produced by heavy hitter engineer Michael C. Ross who has been associated with everything from Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Vanessa Carlton to Moulin Rouge and There's Something About Mary.

The title, Sweet New Disease is derived from a line in "Speed", a song about someone who is hopelessly aware that a relationship they are deeply involved in will never work, but nevertheless continues faithfully to pour even more of their heart into keeping up with the object of their infatuation.

My favorite song was their incredibly energetic, and twisted version of the children's song "Fly" originally written by Alan Mills and Rose Bonne. Crosby's vocals are immediately recognizable and lush. Seemingly innocous phrases take on new life when uttered from her lips. Jude's guitar mastery is clear as he proficiently moves from rock electric guitar to sensuous flamenco classical acoustic guitar on the (BOTT) Ballad of The Thrawn. Epiphany's bass lines cause uncontrollable, pleasurable grooves that are impossible to ignore. While Aughustine's keyboards are very innovative and sweeping. Samples are very interesting and do not detract from the overall theme of each song on Sweet New Disease.

Call Me Alice in their short career has already made their mark in the live arena playing out constantly for years while recently opening for renowned gothic celloist act Rasputina and 80s new wave/synth act Gene Loves Jezebel among others.

Call Me Alice is one of those wonderful projects that simply rocks at first listen and then increasingly digs beneath your skin, burrowing closer to the soul as more and more of the subtext contained within song arrangements and lyrics becomes increasingly clear. Sweet New Disease is a puzzle wrapped in a silky smooth enigma.

Considered yourself forewarned, CALL ME ALICE is poised to make a huge impact on goth/space rock.