School of Seven Bells - SVIIB - 2016

When I first heard SVIIB, I knew nothing about the band.  As I listened to the album more, and completely fell in love with it, I learned more about the band and found them to be a tragedy in music.  Benjamin Curtis started his life in little Lawton Oklahoma, but ended up in New York City writing fantastic music and performing with School Of Seven Bells.  In February of 2013, he was diagnosed with Lymphoma and was dead before the year ended.  It's always a travesty to see young people in the prime of their lives die from something beyond their control.  We see people throw their lives away worthlessly all the time, but then someone who wants to live has that stolen from him and there's nothing anyone can do.

This album was written and performed by the two of them right up until his death, but then it was produced later but only released in February of this year.  As Rolling Stone described, its a cross between Shoegaze, Indie Rock, Dream Pop and Electronic, and I have to agree.  You can't really pigeon-hole this one, and I love it.  It's got some complex sounds and beautiful vocals and the melodies are striking and addictive.  I'll find myself humming their songs all the time.

There aren't any b-sides or remixes from this album, but I did pop a remix that they did for Civil Twilight on there, and it fits right in.  If you've listened to their album that I posted last month and liked it, you will be even more surprised to hear how good this one is.  I venture to say that this is my favorite album of 2016, and we're only halfway through the year. 

It's that good.  Download it and try it.  If you don't like it I'll refund you with the post of your choice....

Just kidding.  Like I'd ever give this up, even for a post ;)

School of Seven Bells - SVIIB - 2016

School Of Seven Bells - Ghostory - 2012

The group that used to be three, then it was two, and now it is one.  This is their last album, not their newest one.  I discovered this group just a couple weeks ago, and I am thoroughly impressed with their/her work.  It used to be two sisters and a guy, then one of the sisters quit the band, and then the guy died, and now it's just Alejandra Deheza doing it all.

Their newest album is probably better than this one, IMO, but I don't know if there are any b-sides or remixes yet for it, so I won't post that one until I completely know.  Until then, take a listen to this little gem.  I would file this one right next to Curve and Cocteau Twins.  It's a little dark, a little Indie, and a little synth.  But the pop hooks are killer and well executed.  Her voice is wonderful, and their style is right up my alley.

It's still too new to me to pick out favorite tracks, but the mixes are pretty good, and overall its an impressive listen.  Take a shot and let me know what you think.  Who knows, two years from now I may absolutely hate it.

School Of Seven Bells - Ghostory - 2012