What is worse: a power outage or an internet connection disruption? Both equate to the same thing in the modern world: the inability to communicate with others. This is becoming an increasingly larger problem with our world based around computers and the Internet.
Bachelorette knows the feeling all too well. Her self-described sound is like "Bachelorette took too many mushrooms and fell in love with a computer," especially true for My Electric Family set to be released Tuesday on Drag City. It is one of my favorites of the year thus far. One listen evokes the feeling of being completely surrounded and involved in everything around you, yet still alienated and alone. This estrangement does not linger, though, for after a few listens a settling understanding of how intimate the world as a whole is accompanies you on your musical journey.
"Its a wilderness, and its dangerous!" belts the third track "Mindwarp" before mellowing into dream-pop synths laced with sugary vocals. "Its transformative, metaphysical..." it continues, almostly perfectly describing the album as a whole.
Bachelorette is the work of Annabel Alpers, a New Zealander who once spent a long winter far from civilization in a little cottage on South Island. From that winter came some incredibly gorgeous music and even richer lyricism. Alpers plays all of the instruments on My Electric Family which range from guitars to banjos to random percussives. The rythms will send you into a daze, but subconciously the lyrics dig in.
One of the many highlights is "Where to Begin," a less whimsical song begging that very question. "Let's spin a record and get this started... ignoring those around you... it might make things seem easier for now, but where will it end? How can it end?" Perhaps the opening track has already answered the question: instead of worrying about this technological obsession, why not put it aside and appreciate the current moment? "Daydream, make sure its good stuff. Think now are you meant to do stuff? Cause you must put it off. Lie back, take in what's outside the window."
Bachelorette has instructed you to do so herself, so I see no need to try to convince you any further. Grab a copy and set aside 45 minutes to drift into an alternate reality containing the everchanging highs and lows of My Electric Family; you'll appreciate knowing why so many will have it on future "Best of 2009" lists.
The Vitals:
| Artist | Bachelorette |
| Album | My Electric Family |
| Label | Drag City |
| Released | 5/26/2009 |
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