Alanadale

Hypocritters is, at its heart, a concept album that tells the story of the Hyporitter, a being that Alanadale’s press release describes as “a creative and productive animal pushed and pulled by the many moods that assail her.” Do they succeed in expressing a concept this ambitious in a scant six songs? In my humble opinion, they do. Alanadale creates a deft sonic ecosystem for the titular critter to call home. Each instrument feels like it is a naturally occurring sound created by the world the Hypocritter lives in as opposed to an instrument working in service to the song. In the world of the Hypocritter, an ascending guitar riff is the sound of tiny bubbles floating up, up, up to the surface of some secluded pond, cascading piano is the wind gusting through green leaves and drums are the sound of clouds rolling across the sky. The songs feel organic and subtle, never beating the listener over the head with a concept that could devolve into heavy handed allegory or absurd mess. The lyrics are obscure enough to seem like the secret observations of a small animal trying to makes sense of a world they don’t quite understand. All and all the album makes for a solid Prog-folk album, that doesn’t skimp on the pastoral touches, yet keeps the tempos at a pace that feels invigoration and makes for an energetic listen. (Independent, alanadale.bandcamp.com) Dave Skene - Stylus Magazine

Hypocritters is, at its heart, a concept album that tells the story of the Hyporitter, a being that Alanadale’s press release describes as “a creative and productive animal pushed and pulled by the many moods that assail her.” Do they succeed in expressing a concept this ambitious in a scant six songs? In my humble opinion, they do. Alanadale creates a deft sonic ecosystem for the titular critter to call home. Each instrument feels like it is a naturally occurring sound created by the world the Hypocritter lives in as opposed to an instrument working in service to the song. In the world of the Hypocritter, an ascending guitar riff is the sound of tiny bubbles floating up, up, up to the surface of some secluded pond, cascading piano is the wind gusting through green leaves and drums are the sound of clouds rolling across the sky. The songs feel organic and subtle, never beating the listener over the head with a concept that could devolve into heavy handed allegory or absurd mess. The lyrics are obscure enough to seem like the secret observations of a small animal trying to makes sense of a world they don’t quite understand. All and all the album makes for a solid Prog-folk album, that doesn’t skimp on the pastoral touches, yet keeps the tempos at a pace that feels invigoration and makes for an energetic listen. (Independent, alanadale.bandcamp.com) Dave Skene - Stylus Magazine

Attempting to describe Alanadale’s genre would quickly devolve into multi-hyphenate meaninglessness.

Suffice to say that if Sufjan Stevens got together with members of Fleet Foxes and Don Caballero (the Pittsburgh band, not the SCTV character for whom they are named), and everyone shoveled in a mouthful of long-overdue antidepressants, this EP might be the result.

Combining such seemingly disparate elements sounds refreshing on the debut release from this Winnipeg quintet named for Robin Hood’s bard friend.

Thomas Krause’s beautiful melodies take lead while George Dyck’s electric guitar and Dale Thiessen’s synth and piano keep things bouncing along. The driving There Could Be No Place as Great as This and the closer, the Minus the Bear-flavoured Fettered Flocks on the High seas are the standouts of the six track disc that is a rich and stimulating experience from start to finish. I’ve found one of my new favourites; more please.

Rating: 5/5 Stars - The Uniter

Prog-rock five-piece Alanadale released their debut EP back in November and the album is a solid first effort with a curious sound.

The album, entitled Hypocritters, is a peculiar mix of staccato guitar, synthesizers, and Ben Gibbard-esque singing that resembles a more experimental, less poppy version of Death Cab for Cutie with instrumental elements borrowed from early Minus the Bear.

The first three tracks on this six-song album are definitely highlights, with well-blended instruments and charming melodies, in particular with track “Galapagospel,” which includes harp-like guitar parts and sporadic piano lines.

The rest of the songs on the album seem a bit disjointed with nonsensical lyrics and tempo changes galore, leaving the listener a bit confused as to the direction of the album.

All in all, Hypocritters has potential but falls a bit flat, leaving room for growth and spurring definite interest in future releases from Alanadale. - The Manitoban