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Alice Bierhorst


Country of origin:

U.S.

Type of music generally:

Contemporary folk, alternative indierock

Status:

Most recent release, Ready for My Close-Up (2018)

See also:

Alice Bierhorst's Bandcamp site

Comparisons:

A less intense Cat Power, a gentler Mary Timony. Sometimes with Aiko Shimada's dreaminess.

Covers/own material:

Own

General comments:

Alice Bierhorst makes quietly compelling folk music. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)

"Quietly compelling" beautifully describes what Alice Bierhorst does—it's an individual kind of alternative folky-pop. The tunes can be driving but her vocals are always low-key, which makes for a fascinating kind of tension. I find her music really intriguing and she seems to get better with each album. (Neile)

Recommended first album:

Earthbound is a little more powerful than Oxygen, but I have the feeling that anything she does is worth a listen.

Recordings:

  • Heaven (1996)
  • Safe Places to Dream (1997)
  • Maker's Mark (1998)
  • Now Entering Liberty Heights (2000)
  • Oxygen (2001)
  • Earthbound (2003)
  • Here Today (2004)
  • Jubilee (2005)
  • I Think It's Finally Morning (2006)
  • The Vigil (2007)
  • The Magic Lantern (compilation, 2010)
  • Dexter Price (2010)
  • All Shall Be Revealed (2012)
  • The Beacon (2017)
  • Ready for My Close-Up (2018)

Oxygen

Release info:

2001—Shur Records—Shur 006/2001

Availability:

See Alice Bierhorst's Bandcamp site

Ecto priority:

Recommended

Group members:

Alice Bierhorst

Guest artists:

John Mettam on 1 track

Comments:

Alice Bierhorst's hushed folk sound is intriguing. Her songs have exquisite lyrics and compelling melodies. "Oxygen" has a quasi-medieval arrangement that is lovely. Bierhorst sings sweetly over it. "On a Clear Day" is a dreamy song that highlights the gentle vocal. "Nobody's Sun" plays with thunder noises and a dirge-like melody. It's a very nice record. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)

earthbound

Release info:

2003—Shur Records, 137 Ave. A, Apt. 3B, New York, NY 10009—Shur 007/2003

Availability:

See Alice Bierhorst's Bandcamp site

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

"Made by AB"

Comments:

"At Sunset" is one of those songs that makes me hit the repeat button. Amazing the effect she has in a song like this—it's utterly haunting. She follows it with a song that reminds me of Aiko Shimada's lovely mellow understated tuneful dreaminess. A lovely album, and highly recommended. (Neile)

Further info:

Email abierhorst@hotmail.com


Thanks to Anna Maria Stjärnell for work on this entry.

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DISCLAIMER: Comments and reviews in the Ectophiles' Guide are excerpted from the ecto mailing list or volunteered by members of the list. They are the opinions of music enthusiasts, not professional music critics.

Entry last updated 2021-11-07 18:58:53.
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