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.
