Nine Black Alps - Everything Is

Year: 2005

Label: Island

From Manchester, England, this is their first full length, which came out around the same time other 90's revivalists were releasing their first records (Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys, etc). Nine Black Alps seemed to have a special affinity for the grunge bands of the 90's and their sound was a poppy take on bands like Nirvana, Mudhoney, and maybe a little Smashing Pumpkins. They don't come off as imitators though, just fans who have informed their music with the sounds of their youth, and then give it an English flair.

I really loved this album when it came out, and recently it made it back into rotation with good results. It holds up. You probably missed this one when it came out, so give it a shot if you're in the mood for something catchy.

They released a follow-up in 2007 called "Love/Hate" but it's real bland, which is a disappointment. 

DL