Alice Di Micele – Reverse the Flow
This is Oregon-based Alice Di Micele’s 18th album & she’s been known to tackle heavy-duty topics in her songwriting. These new selections explore the self, our bodies, homophobia, oppression, houselessness, mental illness, those who rely on government systems when it works & when it fails, the miracle of springtime, war & separation, leaning on loved ones in troubled times, a murder ballad & remembering — this world is still sacred ground.
The 9-track collection Reverse the Flow (Drops Oct 14/Alice Otter Music/38:57) was produced in Oregon by Bret Levick (electric guitar/Rhodes/bgv) with Alice (acoustic guitar/vocals). This dares to entertain through prickly topics but has a viable groove shaped by Alice’s folk-rock/Americana clay. Alice may even be today’s Joan Baez, rooted more in the natural world rather than radical. With 18 albums to her credit, she has a strong, effective & distinctive voice.
Alice’s vocals are warm & assertive with character & her range is striking. The lead tune “I Wanna Love,” despite its elementary title, is itself impressive, well-played yet unadorned, & has its moments. The songs all follow a tradition shaped by the past singer-songwriters such as Cris Williamson, Wendy Waldman, Nicolette Larson, Ronee Blakley, Buffy Saint-Marie, & artists of that musical environment.
“Falling Through the Cracks” has its jazzy elements, while a pleasantly ethereal tune comes with “The Mystery.” Sung impeccably well & creates an atmospheric mood. “Springtime (Here We Go)” is fairly mainstream but succeeds. My favorite is “The Ghost of Alice” — a nice haunting ballad made even more compelling with the Darol Anger violin. A Tom Waits-type narrative Alice Di Micele tells with good creepy Lizzie Borden tonality.
I may not always agree with everything Ms. Di Micele sings about, but she writes songs that are compelling & thoughtful rather than squeezing out cliché soggy mainstream pulp of many song genres. There are no easy solutions. It’s life. It’s bureaucrat fodder & things will fail. Whenever a human’s hands touch something, it can be improved & it can be destroyed.
Alice’s ability to bring stinging subjects to the attention of a music listener disguised by melody & lyrics is, at times, the best, most creative way to express these issues. And Alice does a credible job through her art.
Highlights – “I Wanna Love,” “Falling Through the Cracks,” “The Mystery,” “Springtime (Here We Go),” & “The Ghost of Alice.”
Musicians – Rob Kohler (electric & acoustic bass), Nick Kirby (drums), Andy Casad (electric & acoustic guitars), Jenny Conlee-Drizos (Hammond B5), Skip Edwards (piano/Hammond B3), Sarah De Valliere (piano), Crystal Reeves (violin/viola), Janelle Burdell (percussion), Michal Palzewicz (cello), & Artie Watson (drums/percussion).
Color image courtesy of Aditi Swami. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.alicedimicele.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Video Premiere: Alice Di Micele “The Ghost of Alice”
Thanks John.