Alice Sweet Alice

"Ranging in style from hard driving rock with funk guitars over the top, to gorgeous string-and-piano instrumental pieces, this self-described Female-fronted Rock band with Teeth fails to give themselves enough credit for having pure guts in pushing such a unique blend of sound across the table, and for doing so without apology. Alice Sweet Alice, as far as I can tell, has something to offer music fans from across the board - from moody and bold bass lines, groove-pounding drums that never over-power, and thoughtful guitar/synth phrases that compliment and balance each other; to soaring vocals over melodic, over-lapping, well-arranged music."

Among my favorite games to play when I am first hearing a band is to try to guess at the influences that have combined to create what it is I'm hearing at the moment. One of my most pleasurable challenges in recent memory is Alice Sweet Alice's album “Circus Maximus – The Modern Bloodshedding”, not only for their diversity on this album, but also due to a fantastic blend of some classic songwriting formula and a heavy dose of experimental arrangement and artistic presentation.

Throughout this album, there is a distinct thematic thread that links songs together, allowing each song to take on it's own direction while never wandering too far from home base. Ranging in style from hard driving rock with funk guitars over the top, to gorgeous string-and-piano instrumental pieces, this self-described Female-fronted Rock band with Teeth fails to give themselves enough credit for having pure guts in pushing such a unique blend of sound across the table, and for doing so without apology. Alice Sweet Alice, as far as I can tell, has something to offer music fans from across the board - from moody and bold bass lines, groove-pounding drums that never over-power, and thoughtful guitar/synth phrases that compliment and balance each other; to soaring vocals over melodic, over-lapping, well-arranged music..

One of the obvious strengths of Alice Sweet Alice is their ability to layer and build and push a piece into multiple movements. A few examples of this are songs such as “Listening to Ghosts” and “Apocalyptica”, which both take hard intentional directional turns that will keep listeners on their toes. Contrasting that is the straight up rocker title track “Circus Maximus” which grabs for the throat early on and never lets go, or “Behind The Glass” which kicks off the album with heavy dark funk riffs and establishes control right from the start.

I recommend this album be listened to all together as a whole piece, as it truly does flow incredibly well together. This is more than a collection of songs, but rather, a snap-shot of an introspective and experimental group of talented musicians in a time of great creativity and collaboration. Do yourself a favor and check out this album! - Bandwagon Network Radio

by Lee Miller – Bristol, TN USA

From the moment I was asked to do this review, I knew that what I was about to listen to was special. How could it not be? The bands name is awesome! Alice Sweet Alice just illicits a myriad of fantastical thought patterns, and knowing that the release date for their album, “The Macabre Carnival”, is Halloween just makes this review all that more special! One of my favorite times of the year!

What I could have never expected though is just how freaking awesome this band and this album is! From the very first track, “Daredevil”, I knew that I was settling in to listen to one of the best Rock/Progressive Rock/Metal bands I’ve heard in a while. But they are so much more than just that!

When track #2, “Strange Things”, began playing, I was immersed in one of the coolest and spookiest songs I’ve ever listened to! A perfect Halloween song that has it all! Erie melodic keyboard phrasings, killer guitar work, bass and drums pounding, and absolutely amazing vocals! Liza Jean can belt it out with the best of them! She’s one of the best female vocalists in the business today, and she shows it on every song!

And let’s not forget the rest of this Kansas City band. Laying it down on the rhythm side of things is Scott Martinez on bass guitar (not to mention he is one helluva vocalist as well!) and Chris Poje on drums (Editor’s note: Bailey Maria Keiling performed the drum work on “Strange Things”), and they brilliantly bring it on every one of the 11 songs on “The Macabre Carnival”. I can’t get over how these two bring the thunder!

Next up is the blistering guitar playing of Shadron Dennis. He is a stellar guitarist! One listen to songs like “Masochist” and “Sucker” and you’ll hear what I mean. Rounding out the band, and one of the most important mentions here, is Felix Theo Waen. Enough cannot be said about this phenomenal musician and his contributions to this album! Piano, Violin, and vocals, and all sound amazing! The sounds he created on “The Macabre Carnival” are second to none! Check out the eloquence of his violin work on “Wednesday’s Child”. Superb!

I have listened to this album in its entirety three times, and I honestly cannot compare this band to any one band out there today. I wouldn’t dare dream of it, because this band is just so badass in every way! They have a sound that is all their own and I am really surprised that a band of this caliber hasn’t been signed yet to a major record label! Every one of the songs on this album are masterpieces and I can’t get enough of listening to them! I love “The Macabre Carnival” so much that I can’t even pick a favorite song! That’s how amazing it is, and how kick ass this band is!!!!!

The only thing you need to do this Halloween is purchase a copy of this CD! It will set the mood, the tone, and the atmosphere for the nights festivities! It’s time to celebrate with Alice Sweet Alice and my pick for best album of the year!!!!! - Bandwagon Network Radio

“The thing I like about this group is that they can drift from hard rocking numbers like that to a song like the dramatic, keyboard laden ‘Undone’, without ever sounding like they are trying too hard to find a niche.” - getyourrockout.co.uk (Mar 01, 2013)

“I feel a tiny bit of deja vu when I listen to the tracks, like I've been here before, but that feeling gives way to total auditory bliss after only a few seconds.” - Hot Shark (Mar 08, 2013)

“Alice Sweet Alice got to take the stage 3rd in the lineup. This band is without a doubt one of the most underrated bands in all of Kansas City. They have massive popularity Worldwide and they showed why on stage with a monstrosity sound that is full and rich, and with timing that is second to none. The setlist in our opinion was perfect on how each song just flowed from one to the next without having that “trainwreck” feel that you will sometimes get in live performances. Alice Sweet Alice showed exactly what they constantly preach in more words on their Facebook, but that is reach for perfection.” - Project Backstage (Mar 24, 2013)