Like many bands, School of Seven Bells is the result of a late night revelation and the fortuitous meeting of talented musicians. When guitarist and producer Benjamin Curtis connected with airy and powerful vocals of sisters Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, the ambient dream pop outfit was born. Busting onto the music scene with their mystical first album Alpinisms, School of Seven Bells offers listeners a deep and powerful (sometimes bewildering) brand of dream pop goodness.
Their sophomore follow-up to Alpinisms titled Disconnect from Desire is a more mature and deliciously cryptic experience. Drawing apparent influence from the works of Brian Eno (whose music inspired the name of the album) to create a haunting and energetic performance that hearkens back to the Beach House’s Teen Dream. Possessing an air of mysticism backed by beaty and layred music, Disconnect from Desire is the perfect mood album with the perfect amount of ambiance and lyrical complexity.
Apparent throughout the album is the influence drawn from proto dream pop artists (New Order, Brian Eno) and the shoegaze artists of the early 90’s (Ride, Starflyer 59, My Bloody Valentine). Each song offers its own high points within a haze off guitar crunches, sharp vocals, and thought provoking content. “Windstorm” will make make you want to dance, “I L U” will make you want to cry; “Dust Devils” will take you straight back to the late 80’s. Perfect melodies and plenty of clicks and whistles makes Disconnect from Desire infinitely interesting and unnerving at times.
A beautiful follow-up to a strong debut release, School of Seven Bells just seems to be getting better and better. Brilliantly incorporating all of the elements that spawned the genre to begin with, Disconnect from Desire is a more in-depth look at the surreal; a strange and thought provoking album that is well engineered and carefully crafted. The works of musicians to seem to be in their own dream world, School of Seven bells continues to bring listeners into their own dreamscape.
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Great review. Totally agree on all points. I had the amazing and random pleasure of meeting Benjamin Curtis earlier this summer and he told me the story of the symbol on the album cover (which he also has tattooed onto the middle of his chest). He took the phrase “disconnect from desire” and condensed it into that symbol. The process involved removing vowels and repeat letters, then taking what was left and manipulating it all typographically into that symbol. I was so enamored of the process (and him – he’s an extraordinary guy) that I went home and created my own. I’ve got the whole story on my blog if you’re interested. I think it’s in the June posts.
Love your writing – will def be back.
[MissDiggity]