Lucid Dream

At a certain point, I wrote in another review about "the great expectation syndrome" which basically appears when you hear a tremendous debut album. And yeah, even if it's a cliche, I have to say it: it's difficult to get on top but it's even more difficult to manage to stay there. That was also the case with School Of Seven Bells. Okay, and now let's finish the so-called introduction and get to the subject which is the release of their sophomore, Disconnect From Desire.

Even from the first track, you realise that the purpose of the band is not only to improve the sound of Alpinisms but to bring it close to perfection. If they would have decided to choose a single word to describe the songs that would probably be "ethereal". The annoyingly wonderful electronic sounds melt with gentle guitars and strong drum beats and create a dreamy atmosphere that will make you completely forget about the world around you.

It's true that you won't find (at least not after the first listening) a certain song that will enter your mind and remain there for at least one week, playing in your head again and again (and again...). But it's also true that this is due to the album itself, which appears (at least instrumentally) as a story on its own, more than just a random collection of songs. Of course, Alejandra and Claudia's voices are also playing a part here, a very important part actually. I honestly cannot describe their voices, because the proper superlative does not exist yet. What a shame, you'll just have to believe me or to go listen to this album (I strongly recommend the second choice).

To be more specific, the great expectations have been fulfilled with this release. Don't be surprised if you'll suddenly wake up and realise that you listened to Disconnect From Desire three times already, completely enjoying it each and every time. I'll end this review by saying that, if Alpinisms was the flower, then this album is the fruit in all its splendour.


*photo courtesy of School Of Seven Bells' MySpace