Alphabeat's off the competition

Jukebox

Alphabeat’s off the competition

When it comes to top tunes, Reality Bites Back’s ashamed to admit that mainstream cheesy pop has kicked the axe out most other genres this month.

So, with Alphabeat’s European tour kicking off in Sweden shortly, we’ve decided to home in and give the cutesy pop party from Copenhagen some cred.

The group’s been compared to the B52’s and is definitely reminiscent of the ‘80s.
But it has a certain Je ne sais quoi that’s far cooler and more switched on than that.

Female lead singer Stine Bramsen’s not Debbie Gibson or Sabrina, but there’s something in it… yet she can sing.

The troupe’s latest release is catchy sing-along ‘Boyfriend’, which warns ‘Don’t you Touch My Boyfriend, He’s Not Your Boyfriend, He’s Mine’.

Perhaps not the most creative card in the pack but, as a jealous sort of mag, Bites Back approves of this advisory note.

The bonus track’s a credible cover of Australian singer-songwriter Sam Sparro’s Black and Gold – a song that’s been praised by the likes of Mark Ronson and Pete Tong.

But, despite the band’s best efforts, the rendition has already been murdered by our fave – you should’ve stuck to classical – Welsh WAG on the Charlotte Church Show.

Former single ‘10,000 Nights’ heard male vocalist Anders Nielsen handing out his fair share of the notes and a feel-good factor that’s almost worth downloading the album for.

But the group loses points for not planning any stage stops north of the border during their debut tour, which opens on 30 September.

Instead, the super six will take in France, Italy and Germany, as well as UK venues like London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Oxford’s Carling Academy and Coventry’s Kasbah.

What it lacks in geographical knowledge, however, Alphabeat makes up for in its humble online blog – often written via wi-fi at McDonalds.

Lifting the lid on Sam Sparro’s style, the elusive Flock of Seagulls and other (more pretentious) acts, the tour diary’s well worth a visit on a rainy day.

Bites Back’s final word on Alphabeat is… very refreshing. If this is the new pop, bring it on.

Check it out for yourself at www.thisisalphabeat.com


ENDS