In local songwriter Eric Alexander's imaginary neighborhood of musical heroes, bands like Xiu Xiu and My Bloody Valentine share very close quarters with the likes of Madonna and Johnny Cash. Alexander's multitude of influences and favorites come together in a remarkable way on "Some Kind of Sex," the result of several months of writing, recording and perfecting 10 of the most important songs to ever come out of Muncie. But please don't worry that the album is too chaotic, as anyone who has discussed it with the artist may have gathered from his modest remarks. The production and songwriting (not to mention some of Muncie's finest musicians in the rhythm section and one of our greatest almost-famous studio engineers) show an extreme attention to detail and a carefully-considered structure.
The first half of the album is pure pop, at once calling to mind and smashing to bits some of the catchiest songs of the last 30 years. The most brilliant moments of Prince, Andre 3000, Magnetic Fields and even Bowie lurk just below the surface of tracks like "Stereo Love" or the title track. Elsewhere in this first half, "The Ballad of Andy Woehead" and "505" initially come across as over-the-top and way too "cute," but ultimately, Alexander knows exactly what he's doing. After a few listens, these songs reveal their true beauty and wit, and you will probably find yourself forgetting the day that you didn't have a line like "I've got no one to love and I've got all these prophylactics" running through your head all the time.
And then in the middle of the album, just when you're starting to wonder how much sugary pop is too much, things get much, much darker. The sad, angry side of this whole manic-depressive affair flashes it's sharp teeth and holds the listener's attention until the final tear has fallen on album closer "For Love Lost in Time" (which features perhaps the prettiest melody that never showed up on a Jesus and Mary Chain album). "Peach Tree Underscore" writhes with tension and "Independent Woman" releases it all in a fit of howling rage, but the pace is always kept heart-wrenchingly slow throughout the album's second half, showing that Alexander's knack for being dramatic is more effective than ever.
I would emphatically encourage anyone to pick this album up at the release show tonight, and my reason isn't that this may be your only chance to get one of the 150 handmade copies --- something tells me that this won't be the only time this disc sees the light of day. Instead, I'm recommending "Some Kind of Sex" because it demands to be heard. As soon as you get the chance to listen to it, you will be sorry that you didn't get it sooner, so take my word for it and get a copy. Put down that Arcade Fire disc and stop talking about Modest Mouse. If Muncie residents want the perfect mix of unforgettable melodies, overwhelming sadness and shame, and a pale light at the end of the tunnel, we don't need to look any further than Eric Alexander for the answer.
****1/2
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