The Alice Rose

Phonographic Memory

The power-pop ballads produced by the Alice Rose represent the dripping beads of wax from forgotten flames and moonlit candles, the romanticized effects of time and distance on one’s Phonographic Memory. Led by the sincere and seductive cull of singer and guitarist JoDee Purkeypile’s sweet falsetto, “Light Up” rekindles the carpe diem conceit of John Donne’s “The Sun Rising” as he begs his mistress to “elude daybreak and wait to take fist to fate.” “Lamplight” burns with the same platonic longing, but it’s “This Night” that shimmers. The addition of sunshine harmonies, bells, and vibes to the band’s formulaic guitar-driven bounce offers a ray of hope for this Austin quintet’s future. As comfortable and familiar as their debut often sounds and feels, Phonographic Memory doesn’t stay in the listener’s.

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This article appears in January 12 • 2007.

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