ANN ARBOR CURRENT, JUNE 2008
"...it’s the electro-jazz / power prog rock trio Aleph-1 from Ann Arbor, with their sleek sci-fi inflected synths and rapid rhythms... With staggering instrumental compositions that feel almost orchestral in structure, they still keep a distinctly jazzy improvisational looseness. Their debut self-titled album galvanizes cinematic sounding electronic odysseys that combine the fantastic urgency one might feel if we were trapped inside our computer fending off viscous viruses or rival 'red guy' motorcycle riders ala ‘Tron’; their sound is an invigorating clash of nostalgic '50's sci-fi film vibes with kitschy UFO synth howls charged by 80's new wave buzzy grooves and prog-rock trounced rhythms. Live, the band can be as fiery and ferocious as an amped up jazz rampage, utilizing drums with 2 samplers, 2 synthesizers and the occasional guitar. Their debut album is a staggering journey of invigoration, melodrama and dream-pop soundscapes; the transitions are baffling (the percussion on “DB” goes from hip/hop to speed-metal in one measure yet the flow is as natural as the sun setting); while the synths on “Plan 9” start with a Twilight Zone vibe then morph into a house-rave blitz; and “GoodCop” features a bass line so full of character and charm you’d think it to be born from the soulful grooves of Motown."
REAL DETROIT WEEKLY, MAY 2008
"...distinct, fuzzed and whirling synth melodies with operatic crescendos,
hard-hitting percussions, warbled electronic harmonies and inventive minds
for songwriting. We have rollicking rock rhythms, video-game heroic melodrama melodies, grooving skewed disco grooves, all set to structures that shift smoothly, almost orchestral in formation. Take the jazzy post-rock of Tortoise and add futuristic, dreamy landscapes of Kraftwerk, Japancakes and Gary Numan — then add intricate keyboard melodies, bass bounces and hard-driving rhythms. Mega Man kung fu with Ultraman in a car
chase with McQueen on Saturn."
THE NORTH WIND MAGAZINE, FEB 2008
"...outstanding instrumental electronica... try thinking of Ghostbusters
mixed with Phantom of the Opera, while tripping on acid, and that is similar
to what Aleph-1 is like."
ADAM REY, ANN ARBOR'S 107one
"...hooks you never see coming... it's great for dancing, and anything else you want to do with a fresh dose of awesome!"
DAVE SCHALL, DSA STUDIOS
"Dr. Dre meets Danny Elfman at a rave..."
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