Description
Label Review.
2020 album. Folk (ex-Trembling Bells).
Our Overview.
Alex Rex is the nom de guerre of Alex Neilson- drummer to some of the most innovative musicians on the international underground including Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Shirley Collins, Jandek and Current 93 and he is releasing his new album ‘Andromeda’ an album which is a game of emotional snakes and ladders. It’s the product of two years spent in therapy, the gym and on Tinder. It opens with the voice of folk legend Shirley Collins in ”Song of Self Doubt” – a sparse assemblage of spoken words layered on bright chimes and birdsong. And from there we wander down corridors of cruelty, recklessness and recrimination.
Alex has synthesised the agonised self-invention and charismatic death-drive of these artists into his solo vehicle- abandoning the Folk Rock pomp of his previous band Trembling Bells for something darker and wilder. Following the critical acclaim of two previous albums- Vermillion and Otterburn- Rex is back with his most raw and adventurous album yet:' Andromeda'.
Featuring a consolidated line up of long-time collaborator Rory Haye, with Audrey Bizouerne (Rev Magnetic/ Bill Wells) and Georgia Seddon (Mike Heron/The Incredible String Band) along with guest appearances from Shirley Collins and Stevie Jackson, Andromeda is a gut-punch to the brain. Self loathing has never sounded so sexy.
Tracklisting: Song Of Self Doubt / Handful Of Hair / I Am Happy / Funeral Music For Alex Rex / Oblivion / Cowards Song / Rottweilers / Alibi Blues / Haunted House / The Uses Of Trauma / Im Not Hurting No More / Pass The Mask