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Music Review
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Amazon.com
Imagine being hypnotized into a deep sleep. As you are falling into a trance, the sounds you hear are slow and languid, yet as infectious and heart-racingly lovely as the sweetest pop song ever. Such a sensation of separation from active reality and complete engagement with the heart's most stirring possibilities is the essence of Slumber Party. On Psychedelicate, the Detroit foursome's second full length, Slumber Party cast a spell with their self-described "slow femme doom rock with a late-night vibe." Musical inspiration can be traced to the bass/strum thud of early Velvet Underground laced with a gaggle of Nicos fronting the Shirelles. Yet for any comparisons that can be drawn, this confection is a truly original one in both mood and sound. Producer Mathew Smith (Outrageous Cherry) helps shroud the songs in an aural atmosphere engulfed in shadows, allowing for shards of sweetness to splinter through. At times the vocals--led by main songwriter Alicia Berg--meld into a swirling quartet of harmonies with all four members joining in. Occasionally, the sounds recall the femme-pop rush of such "C86" types as Shop Assistants and the Rosehips, although with the volume turned down and the air of mystery and poetry raised high. With its hazy sweetness, Psychedelicate is not only the perfect name for this album, but also a rare wonder of intoxicating slow-pop bliss. --Andy Waltzer