And look! Sammy again. He must be the most handsome one!
Disorder Magazine - Interview
Daniel Hepstinall of The Alps is quite obviously way too over qualified to be slumming it in the crowded indie-pop scene. He's just written and showcased his first Musical in Romania as well as propelling The Alps onwards and upwards (they're apparently doing especially well in the Ukraine). Eastern bloc mods aside (I dare you to try and stop picturing razor-sharp moose fur lined suits and snow sleds with lots of mirrors), there's a lot more of a clandestine emotion behind this song than meets the eye. 'Last Dance' is essentially a break-up song, but not in the 'Goodbye My Lover' sense; this is more James Bond than James Blunt. There's no pleading for the other to return, just the sentiment of wanting one last tango before parting and leaving her to be smothered in liquid gold. The jagged guitars and prominent bass lines are straight out of The Jam, but the emotional singing style is less Weller and a bit more Doherty (when he's in tune). The b-side, 'Curriculum Vitae', is more upbeat and punchy, being a Futureheads-style ode to spending more time with that someone rather than being stapled to the office desk. It's especially daydream stricken office dwellers who'll react best to The Alps, with their emotionally charged lyrics fused with funky basslines and plaintive vocals. 'Last Dance' especially is great at letting your imagination wander off, and picture what it might be like to serenade some beauty across a casino before escaping to thwart some ill-tempered mutated sea bass.
Out on 20th March through Tough Cookie/Elusive Music.
Admittedly, Greenwich foursome The Alps wear their influences on their sleeves with speckles of The Jam, The Clash and even Bloc Party shimmering throughout 'World At War' - but boy do they have backbone and their own edge. A tale of yearning for that elusive loved one, it's surprisingly optimistic and stylish stuff. Better still, the feisty chorus with the line 'You make things better/ You make things alright', was enough to make this bitter, cynical old hack's hairs almost stand on end. The spiky B-side 'Eleventh Hour' is pretty damn fine as well. Very promising stuff.
Rocksound Review -
The
Alps Live at Hoxton Bar and Grill
September 7th 2005-09-08
*****
To simply compare The Alps with Franz Ferdinand would not only be trite and tired, it would also be enormously insulting to the band and their Yorkshire heralding front-man, although they would be much to polite and gentile to admit it. These four men (Dan Heptinstall, Samuel Brace, David Edwards and Hezi), in the space of 30 minutes have raised the bar in terms of class, vigour, style, wit and starkly effortless talent that I will judge all bands on from this day forward. Were they really that good? Yes. They were.
Supporting the suave pioneers Apartment, The Alps perform a set that bury any perverse, twisted views of "the industry in decline" Bollocks. The industry has not been this healthy since 80's
Manchester. Tonight an undersized tavern in Hoxton has two future iconic singers in its midst - a testament to the degree in which the industry can comfortably flex its muscles
The voice is one of the standout elements. Dan's achingly beautiful delivery sounds at times, weary of life and at others exuberantly expectant of the future.
The band already appear to be a cult amongst the Hoxton style whores, scribblers and bohemian working class, who react in the only way they can - discreet hysteria. There is a wonderful universal quality about The Alps and soon the entire audience are rapturously demanding more of the frenzied but controlled sound. They play their set this evening with the energy and verve of The New York Dolls, the showmanship of Roxy Music and the occasional tenderness of Morrissey. They tear through a blistering set that covers new single "World at War" a heart stopping 'Eleventh hour' and an emotionally crippling 'As it Comes'. The latter made an unexpected impact on me personally. It commands full attention and despite the packed, hot and steaming venue, boundlessly achieves it. The tracks stirring lyrics and emotive mood will remain with you. 'I don't want to spoil the party' I dont want to think about tomorrow, we'll take it as it comes.'
It's difficult to write anything about The Alps without mentioning their astounding good looks, which for many in the audience is almost so unexpected, its unsettling. The members look like they have been carved. Many of the female (and some of the male) fans want to bubble wrap the singer and bass player for protection. Both have cheekbones to scratch glass with and haircuts to put 'Hoxton chic' to shame. Couple their looks with their musical ability and it's difficult to keep my new found love for them, from turning to deep founded jealousy. However, aside from their music, their biggest attribute, and most unusual, is that their quiet confidence never encroaches upon arrogance or pretension.
Daniel and the guys will take their future fame 'as it comes', but come it will. See them and you will indubitably understand. The
Alps will astound you. The uninitiated will be astonished and then captivated. Hopefully one day bands will cite The Alps as an influence on their work, and in my opinion the future could not be in any safer hands.
Matt Errington - Disorder
War' - but boy do they have backbone and their own edge. A tale of yearning for that elusive loved one, it's surprisingly optimistic and stylish stuff. Better still, the feisty chorus with the line 'You make things better/ You make things alright', was enough to make this bitter, cynical old hack's hairs almost stand on end. The spiky B-side 'Eleventh Hour' is pretty damn fine as well. Very promising stuff.
