ALIEN BOOK CLUB "...AND I'M NOT EVEN HAVING FUN ANYMORE" REVIEW
I fondly remember the first time I ever saw Alien Book Club live. It was one of those rare moments when a band rips into their first song, and you turn to your friend and go “holy shit, how have I not heard this band before?” They were jazzy, they were energetic, and they were LOUD. I distinctly remember the PA system at the venue barely being able to project over the tidal wave of music that was being cast over the audience. It was insatiable. Ever since that day, I have been an Alien Book Club fan.
So it was a breath of fresh air when the 6-piece put out an EP earlier this year. Recorded at home, “…And I’m Not Even Having Fun Anymore” manages to capture lightning in a bottle, keeping the band’s signature live energy intact. The group’s pure musicianship comes out in their ability to remain extremely tight despite their genre and time signature hopping. Everything fits together like a funky, rambunctious puzzle. No part feels excessive. From the blaring saxophones, to the math-rock inspired riffage, everything feels like it fits together perfectly in their smörgåsbord of a sound.
ABC’s signature blending of genres is on full display in a song like “Pathetic”, which sways wildly back and forth between guitar-driven punk, tight funky melodies, and energetic pop rock, all in under 3 minutes. It serves as a fantastic opener, showing you right away that this is Alien Book Club. It also has a fantastic music video, showcasing the band’s absurdist humor. I can’t help but compare the weirdness to They Might Be Giants, who also have a strange, artsy tilt to their music videos.
“John Carpenter’s Escape From New York” grooves hard, putting their composition abilities on display. The jazzy, math rock inspired jamming of the verse quickly transitions into a chorus that is not easily forgotten. The tongue-in-cheek lyrical stylings stick in your head as the music takes you on an emotional adventure, ending in an eruption of shoegaze-y goodness, paying homage to much of the Twin Cities DIY sound.
“Jimmy Butler” flaunts the group’s pop sensibilities with a catchy riff that propels the song forward, which gets traded around between the guitars and the keyboard. The vocal melodies are expertly crafted to get lodged inside your head, no doubt leading to fans happily singing along. The song never feels like it’s beating a dead horse, swapping between light hearted rock, to a stiff electronic breakdown, culminating in a dramatic, building outro.
The EP was expertly mixed by Abe Anderson of Cloud Factory, who managed to wrangle in the band’s live energy onto a recorded format. Everything sits well in the mix, and contributes to the wall of sound that Alien Book Club have developed over the years. The whole album just feels fun. It instantly puts you in a good mood, and reminds you that there are some exceptional musicians here in the Twin Cities. After listening to this EP, I am more excited than ever for shows to start up again so I can see Alien Book Club rip another fantastic performance.
Alien Book Club:
Anita (She/Her) - vocals, guitar
Andrea (She/Her) - bass, vocals
Thomas (He/Him) - drums
Meek (He/Him) - keys and synths
Amber (She/Her) - guitar
Allison (She/Her) - sax
(Melodic Noise) - How's your day going?
(Alien Book Club) Pretty good. I got new shoes today.
(MN) What is your formed/origin story?
(ABC) Andrea and I were living in a cabin up in Webster WI back in 2016. I was working on some music that would turn into an album called the underachievement award. I had another band in the cities and we had a show lined up when our bassist suddenly quit. I grabbed Thomas from that band, practiced a bunch with Andrea in the cabin and played the show the other band was supposed to play. We played a few more shows in the cities between 2016 and 2017 before Andrea and I moved back to St. Paul. We grabbed Meek off of reddit, practiced a whole bunch more then added Amber, who I had met working at a record store. At this point we started playing more and eventually added Allison in Oct of 2019
(MN) Genre?
(ABC) sorta indie sorta punk sorta prog
(MN) Label?
(ABC) nope
(MN) What is the story behind the album's name?
(ABC) It's a phrase anyone who's played in bands long enough will eventually utter. But its only half true.
(MN) Lyrically what stands out on the album?
(ABC) Meek told me that these were his favorite lyrics for any songs we've done and that makes me happy.
(MN) What was the inspiration behind the album?
(ABC) covid really. we were working on a much larger project but quarantine turned it into what it is.
(MN) Is there something that connects the songs together?
(ABC) jimmy butler and pathetic deal with the subject of rejection while escape from new york is more the world current situation. so doom and gloom.
(MN) Are you locals or transplants?
(ABC) Andrea is from out west but the rest of us are locals
(MN) What are some of your influences and Minnesota influences?
(ABC) zappa, king crimson, and local bands.
(MN) Who are some of your favorite current Twin Cities artists?
(ABC) gramma, marmalade, harpers jar, bugsy, keep for cheap, vial
(MN) What is your favorite venue to play and see shows at in Twin Cities?
(ABC) KCK or Morts
(MN) What can fans expect when they come to your shows?
(ABC) mosh pits, doo wop numbers, sax honks, synth solos, and country slide guitar.
(MN) Do you have a favorite or crazy memory of playing a show?
(ABC) When we play at a diy house in valdosta ga we had a 2 amp stack i decided to get on and jump off of. I ate shit and both amps fell abruptly ending the set.
(MN) Who are your dream tour-mates?
(ABC( 1973 mothers of invention
(MN) Other hobbies?
(ABC) drinking jeopardy and pasta skateboarding. also meek does a lot of cool film stuff.
(MN) What do you like about living in the Twin Cities?
(ABC) ive met so many amazing people in these cities that have changed my life so much.
(MN) Is there anything that sets the Twin Cities scene apart from places you've toured?
(ABC) the twin cities scene (pre covid) is thriving in comparison to a lot of the places we have played in. people are more involved and attentive at shows here. its not just a party.
(MN) What are your favorite places to grab food or drink in the Twin Cities?
(ABC) Tin Whiskers is the most underrated brewery in the twin cities
(MN) What are the band's plans for the future?
(ABC) we have some new t shirts being printed, a couple singles we are getting added to spotify
(MN) Is there anyone you'd like to thank or shout out?
(ABC) Andrea, Thomas, Meek, Amber, and Allison for being such lovely bandmates
Make sure to follow all things Alien Book Club on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bandcamp, and Spotify.
Review by: Ethan Thomas, Writer @ethanmakesmusic
Interview and edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner @PlaylistTC
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