THE ALICE PROJECT: Press/Reviews

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT

THE ALICE PROJECT

"Laden with infectious hooks and sing-a-long choruses, (Alice) Leon’s songs teem with an unabashed spirit that eschews fashion and embraces substance. DIY Top 12 Pick." Performing Songwriter

"Alice Leon ... has come into her own." The New York Times

"vulnerable and sensitive without being wimpy. Leon’s expressive vocals and contemplative, often poetic lyrics bring to mind storytellers who range from Carole King to Edie Brickell and Sheryl Crow. ... This CD makes one hope that the Alice Project will become better known. êêêê" All Music Guide

"Rarely do lyrics this compelling accompany melodies this strong! The pop hooks stick in your head, while the words often leave you laughing, or reflecting on your life experiences, or both. The vocals are alternately sweet and powerful, and the musicianship is top-notch. This is catchy, intelligent pop-rock with broad demo appeal that will sound great on multiple radio formats. Alice has had a successful run at many alternative stations. Now it's pop radio's turn. If you're a program director looking for something that will rise above the pablum and appeal to your hip adult audience, this is it -- on a silver platter." Dave Hoeffel, VP/Executive Director, Friday Morning Quarterback

"Traveling with Lady Berlin could pass for a major label effort, with polished songwriting, crisp production and tight, purposeful playing" Newark Star-Ledger

"As sweet as a Sundays-Heart-Fleetwood Mac-Julianna Hatfield dinner combo with a Bettie Serveert chaser and Paula Cole’s ‘I Am So Ordinary’ soul." Aquarian Weekly

"Best of 2000 Year-End Top 10" Princeton Packet

"The people in Leon’s songs ring true, as they do only in the best of songs by the best of songwriters. ... Highly recommended." Gajoob Magazine

"From now on, I will always think of the Hard Rock Cafe (in Philadelphia) as `Alice’s Restaurant.’ Not because of the Arlo Guthrie song, but because that’s where I first saw and heard the talented Alice Leon." Jewish Exponent

"refreshingly adult and self-sufficient. ... bubbly but not bubblegum, a sound that’s mostly happy without the sappy. ... a fresh voice with a classic approach." Creative Loafing Savannah

"These tracks could easily fit into any playlist without any listener knowing that The Alice Project wasn’t on a major label. The overall sound, songwriting and performances are that solid." The Daily Vault

"Cozy melodies coupled with Leon’s slightly raspy and always warm voice make `Traveling with Lady Berlin’ an easy diversion." Home News Tribune

"Song-driven rock with commercial appeal. ... Sometimes rousing, other times soothing, but always Alice." Songwriter’s Monthly

"Alice Leon more than holds her own with her excellent lyrics, catchy melodies, passionate but friendly singing and crackerjack co-production." Bridgewater (N.J.) Courier-News

"I wouldn’t be surprised if they get signed to the next Lilith Fair tour (if there ever is one). ... They’re a band on the rise." Liner Notes/CD World

"If you haven’t heard of The Alice Project before now, you probably will soon. ... Alice’s blend of acoustic sense with whole notes and intelligence for the pop she propagates is going to win her friends and influence others." @NZone Magazine

"intelligent, hooky, hummable rock ‘n’ roll that soothes the soul." Pocono Record

"... this group just may be able to break through from ‘local act’ to ‘regional act’ and -- with a dollop of major record company marketing muscle -- on to ‘national act.’ U.S. 1

"I *LOVE* the new CD.Very cool. I've listened to it twice already." Derek Sivers, President, CD Baby

College towns have a way of producing talented singer/songwriters. Princeton, NJ, the home of Princeton University, is also the home of singer/songwriter Alice Leon and her band the Alice Project. One hears a great deal of potential on the Alice Project's second album, Traveling With Lady Berlin, which is vulnerable and sensitive without being wimpy. Leon's expressive vocals and contemplative, often poetic lyrics bring to mind storytellers who range from Carole King to Edie Brickell and Sheryl Crow, but without Crow's tendency to be cryptic at times. The New Jersey resident does a lot of reflecting on this melodic pop/rock effort — tracks like "I Don't Wanna Be Alone," "How I Wish," "Uncle," and "I'm Not Afraid to Live" are quite introspective — but other times, Leon turns her attention to the experiences of others. "Marilyn's Things" is an interesting and pointed number about obsessive Marilyn Monroe fans who attend auctions to make bids on items that the late sex goddess once owned; people who, Leon concludes, must lead very empty lives. And the song's message doesn't only apply to those who obsess over Monroe's possessions. It can apply to anyone who feels the need to live through someone else. Released in late 2000, this CD makes one hope that the Alice Project will become better known.

THE ALICE PROJECT Travelling With Lady Berlin [Clown Milk Records] www.thealiceproject.com

Alice Leon leads The Alice Project from the front, displaying her strong musical attributes, prominently, a solid set of pipes that, to these ears, bring to mind the likes of Chrissie Hynde, Shawn Colvin, Aimie Mann (and even Grace Slick too!). If these comparisons suggest an adult alternative pop perspective then you're right - there is an emphasis on simple infectious melodies and mature arrangements that leans rather heavily towards the sound of Bruce Hornsby (Scott Monetti's piano playing is the key to this) and Dan Fogelberg. AOR? Perhaps but you can't seriously quibble with the class of songs like 8-10 Parliament Street, Marilyn's Things and Lady Berlin. Pleasant and slick, with a pedigree soft rock fans will greatly appreciated. 7.5

Artist: The Alice Project
Genre: Pop
CD Review:
Nope, it's not an Alice Cooper tribute album. The Alice be Alice Leon, scooting her vocals around a bit like Amy Grant in the pop era. While I like the rock/pop opening of 'A Room of My Own' (which seems to me, subject wise, to be a bit of a kid's song about independence), I prefer the wicked tone of 'Bob'. She sings simply, but the spite on her old flame is there like an iced campfire. 'I saw white you saw black / guess that's the reason / we're not going back'. Yep, that would do it! 'Goodbye Old Friend' brings back to me those early 90s days when all the Queen members were doing their ballads to the late great Freddie Mercury. Anyway, this is a gentle rock end song that would be great at a funeral (and I mean that with respect). Some fine pop and rock and a bottle of unplugged suppressed emotions here. Smile!