The Alcohotlicks – You, You
You, You – The Alcohotlicks
by Aidan Roberts
Not to be turned away by their immediately corny name, The Alco-hot-licks (flinch) have got a lot going for them. The instrumental romp Hot In Hell sets the tone very well here – proggy, thundering bass and a sort of flailing madness to the drums suggests a wild ride ahead. the guitar work is notable for its thick, dry arpeggios; the passages bend and twist, exploring the space in between notes rather than filling every gap with noodles and tricks. It’s not until I got through a few tracks did I realise that they are an instrumental band; and it works well to showcase their musicianship not to rely on the human voice – these instruments tell their tale in a unique voice. Like a jazz record, this album goes up and down, and although the songs can occasionally drift into uninteresting jams, the whole thing shifts and changes, explores various moods and keeps its audience guessing. It would be worth it to see these fellows in a live context – their tightly controlled musical banter must be something to behold. They should change their name, though.
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