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Alpinisms - School of Seven Bells
User Score
9.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6

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  1. seanm.
    Feb 5, 2009
    9
    An indie psychdelic trip that does'nt leave you cold. Nods to Valentines and Cocteaus all mushed up with hypnotic rythms that make you sway with a smile. A real grower with minimum filler. Impresive and highly recommended.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. ScottT
    Nov 11, 2008
    10
    Great album!!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. BrendanS.
    Nov 11, 2008
    10
    My favorite tracks are: Face to Face on High Places, Wired for Light, For Kalaja Mari, White Elephant Coat, and My Cabal. They write amazing lyrics too (see "Iamundernodisguise" and "Face to Face on High Places"). "Face to Face on High Places" is one of the best love songs I've ever heard. All in all, this album is great. Just a stunning debut.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. hydrawithears
    Oct 2, 2011
    8
    School of Seven Bells’ Alpinisms is one of those rare records that despite sounding interesting on paper actually sound interesting. It’s an intriguing blend of dream pop, electronic and that Eastern feel which makes the album (especially tracks 8-10) irresistible. Virtually, Iamundernodisguise is a sufficient proof of duo’s talent (at the time of LP’s release SVIIB were a trio consisting of Benjamin Curtis and identical twins, Alejandra and Claudia Deheza; however, Claudia left the band three months after the release of their second album). The opening track has an amazing tribal beat and the singing sisters do magic when they chant I am neither sister brother son nor daughter / Solely in my chest is my heart a drum of water. SVIIB have certain mysticism and it has nothing to do with cheap New Age spiritual emotion.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. PopMatters
    60
    SVIIB make good on the promise of their early seven-inches and EPs with this debut full-length for Ghostly International.
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  2. All Music Guide
    90
    What pushes these songs past mere worship involves cunning collisions of robust rhythm, caressing noise, and heavenly melody, with each element equally crucial. Good shoegaze/dream-pop bands mastered one of them; the most exceptional of the heap, like this group, had all three down.
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  3. Spin
    70
    Alpinisms' sweeping, ethereal pop owes a stylistic debt to My Bloody Valentine and the Cocteau Twins, but the debut album by former Secret Machines guitarist Ben Curtis' new project reveals a range of influences and a sophisticated approach to arrangement that sets the trio well apart from less imaginative latter-day shoegazers.
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