Alpine - Yuck Album Review

Yelling yuck at a gig would be unruly in most situations. But it was utterly
appropriate last night when Alpine hit The Gov, kicking off their Foolish album
tour in Adelaide.

The enthusiasm began immediately when the long awaited Alpine skipped on stage
with frills, flares and a particular vibrancy. All six members slinked their way
through Yuck and sneaked in some favourites from A is for Alpine, including a
much-appreciated Gasoline. The subtleties and gentleness of the music tie it all
together and are what make Alpine so unique. These subtleties and are so obvious
in their live show. Something different stood out in each song whether it was the
melodic synth, the stimulating keyboard, the refined drumming or the intricate
guitar stringing.

Bouncing off each other, the two vocalists Phoebe Baker and Lou James swayed,
twirled and shimmied in sync and urged the rest of us to follow their example.
Baker perhaps shimmied a little too hard as she split her jumpsuit in the middle of
the one and only Foolish. Their layered vocals were wispy, emotional, and light all
at once and created a craving for more.

Everything we love about Alpine came through in Damn Baby. Damn Baby
indeed. Silky vocals, subtle synth, grabbing drums and pounding guitar – the
epitome of the set. The whole room was amped up as Jellyfish and Need Not Be
breezed through the room, not letting anyone stand still and proving the mosh’s
love for Alpine has done nothing but multiply since the last time we were jumping
in adoration to their live tunes.

Walking off stage did not mean the end at all. They strutted back on stage to play
another two songs and attempted to satisfy a crowd that will always want more
when it comes to alpine. Baker ended a very enthusiastic performance by pouring
water over her head, quickly turning it into a water and lights show as she sprayed
the band and crowed with water droplets like a lion flicking water from its mane.

Alpine held an unusually clarifying energy – there was a distinct
liveliness mixed with an unshakable dreaminess. They're a little bit kooky and a
little bit quirky but we love them for it.