alice lee - discography

Release date: June 18, 2005

You can also send me a check or money order for $12 per CD,
plus $3 postage to:

Alice Lee/Pansori Music
P.O. Box 1353
New York, NY 10009
USA

Lovers and Losers

Recorded at Studio G Brooklyn and at home 2001- 2004.

Featuring Joel Hamilton, Tony Maimone, Matthias Bossi, and Yuval Gabay.

Tracklisting (download & listen):

Available online through CDBaby, iTunes, TuneTrader, WeedTracks and The Orchard.

Reviews:

Alice Lee is a beautiful singer/songwriter with a soulful voice that brings similarities to Feist and Dot Allison. Along with own voice, she combines jazzy electronic beats adding a remember-able pop edge to her music. "Lovers and Losers" is her fourth release to date. - Crashin' In

2005.06.26 Sunday - music with a bit of a difference
first of all, the jacket surprised me.this might be good, i thought, and gave it a listen. it's exceptional music.
i enjoyed its subtle distinction. the seemingly-ordinary songs, somewhere, have echoes of something different than "ordinary." you could probably call it "cool."
at times, the music will suddenly stop and then start again, in a way that's definitely cool. the timing of these pauses is so good, that the singer is definitely something special.
it has electric elements, so it's not something you could call acoustic, but when the music has this sensibility, it's definitely welcome.
there were points that i felt were a little harsh, but the songwriting is different. (i have to skip a sentence because my dictionary is already packed. i'll fill in later!)
the style made me think of bjork. but i feel like the instruments are emphasized more than bjork's are.
it's very interesting music that, as i was listening, made me excited to hear each new song.
it's music that's overflowing with an experimental spirit but fun to listen to that i'll be listening to again.
- japanese music blog here

An early contender for this year's female alternative singer-songwriter album, Alice Lee's second full-length recording is a varied, challenging and frequently entertaining demonstration of the New Yorker's talents. Lee's vocals are balanced between the angst of Alanis Morrissette (especially so on 'Heroin' where Lee sounds unusually overwrought) and the "kookiness" factor of Bjork. Encompassing a great diversity, Lee successfully takes on radio-friendly pop ('Perfect Girl'), experimental home recording ('Gloria'), acoustic balladry ('Going Home') and off-kilter rock (everything else). If there's one song to pick out it would be 'Friendly Fire'; featuring a muscular bass backing, Lee's controlled ululations and - much like the rest of ther record - a strong melodic hook. 'Lovers And Losers' is finely tuned towards the middle ground between alternative rock and mainstream adult pop. (standout track - "friendly fire")
- Leonard's Lair (UK)

"A New Bruise" is captivating. It's almost a dirge and has got slightly dissonant keyboard parts at times. "Perfect Girl" is much more pop/radio friendly. But still not Top 40 (thank goodness). "Gloria" reminds me of Björk's subtler stuff. Very cool. “Retrograde heart” has some cool piano. “Heroin” sounds bluesy. Check out this music that is a little edgy and a little weird with some unique sounds.
- Amy Lotsberg, Collected Sounds

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message: Hello Alice,

Tony very graciously shared your new CD with me. Spending some time with your music made me act on his suggestion that I send you a note. At first, I wasn't sure I would, since we haven't met, but having said that, what you've done, what you do, goes out to so many people you don't know so please accept this note as a form of reciprocation.

The most striking thing about your music for me is its beautifully logical contradictions. Your lyrics and your voice have such a stark, raw fragility as you superimpose them over polished, sometimes buoyant, almost jaunty, or brooding, contrapuntal instrumentals. These juxtapositions create a dynamic honesty that feels natural, and powerful to me...the seemingly delicate, vulnerable intrinsic in the gossamer, atonal minor keys you hit belies the refined, saavy extrinsic... I particularly respond to "i breathe".....so lovely, Alice...so very poignant and full of the strength, the pathos and these contradictions we can all carry within us is all heard in your voice. And your lyrics they are so very intelligent and visceral. I can relate. "lovers and losers" is full of such good stuff! I wish you lots of success with something you are meant to be doing. True bravery. Thanks for your music.

represent sistah...

I mean that with all sincerity,

miry
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Her breakout album, a deep, rich collection of pop gems. Oxymoron? No way. This is my favorite cd of the year so far. On her third release, the Brooklyn multi-instrumentalist whips up a pitcher of intoxicatingly catchy, radio-ready hits without sacrificing any of her underground cred.

It's been interesting watching her evolve: her first cd, the Quicksand ep was a fiery, fearless multi-stylistic effort that established her as a force to be reckoned with. Her second cd, The Art of Forgetting was a surprisingly lush affair, all sultry downtempo beats and swirling atmospherics. Lovers & Losers combines the bite and snarl of the first album with the polish of the second. It reveals its treasures like an artichoke, slowly, as the layers peel back. But this one's marinated, and there are spines everywhere. Be careful. This cd could make you bleed. It's unabashedly pop and musically upbeat, but a darkess pervades, grounding the songs in reality.

While virtually every recording session has its own horror stories, this cd sounds like it was a blast to make. Lee's vocals may often be stark, wounded and battlescarred, but the music is playful, witty, sometimes even joyful. You can almost see the grins on the faces of the musicians as they nudge each other into raising the art of the surprise to new levels. The cd opens with New Bruise, Lee's sensuous, soul-inflected voice floating over a recurrent hook which she plays on the harmonium. This is the album's paradigmatic what-the-fuck moment (there are many). Take the big hit with the big hook and stick a harmonium in there. That's Alice Lee for you. Predictability factor: zero.

The next song, How Will I Be Now bounces along on a tasty acoustic guitar hook over hip-hop beats, masking the song's sad undercurrent. The following track, Perfect Girl is the cd's most overtly pop moment, an irresistibly catchy song appropriate for both urban and CHR radio formats. Of course, its blissful sunniness eventually gives way to clouds, and with them redemption. It wouldn't be real otherwise. Friendly Fire, driven by ex Pere Ubu bassist Tony Maimone's swooping bass and Lee's tinkling piano, is perhaps the album's artiest moment: "I can't see your scars but I can feel them," she muses ruefully.

Other standout tracks include I Breathe, featuring tastefully layered harmonies over funky, fluid bass and a memorable chorus: The live concert staple Retrograde Heart (from the Quicksand ep) is reprised here as a downtempo piano-driven hit. The quietly deadpan Last Night perfectly captures the weariness of the wee hours, the endorphins kicking in as the clock runs down on the apocalypse. Lest all the catchiness start to get to you, guitar maestro Joel Hamilton's completely over-the-top, faux-Hendrix noise on the pseudo-metal Heroin will wake you up.The cd concludes with an above-average musical joke, one that works surprisingly well for what it is, probably a studio accident that Lee or one of her accomplices stumbled on and decided to keep.

This is a shockingly accessible album. Virtually without exception, every song on this cd could be a radio hit. The album is as likely to be a repeat selection on the cheerleading squad's boombox as it undoubtedly will be over the sound system at funky-chic Bedford Avenue bars and clubs. After it's out, Alice Lee should be opening for Avril Levine at Madison Square Garden. She should tour with Norah Jones. But it's too bad that Nina Simone left us before she could cover an Alice Lee song or two, because that's where Lee's heart is really at. More than anything else, she's a soul sister, the closest thing to Nina Simone we have these days. With a well-honed sense of outrage, a knack for the lyrical bon mot, a powerful set of pipes that swoop effortlessly from her usual alto to the upper ranges of the vocal stratosphere and fingers that light up the fretboard, the keys of the piano and accordion with equal ferocity and finesse, she defies description. She's just very, very good.

- Alan Young, Trifecta Music

Release date: September 28, 2004

DIFFERENT FOR GIRLS
Women Artists and Female-Fronted Bands Cover Joe Jackson

Now available! Click here for ordering information.

The most successful covers tend to be those which bring something new to a song, often completely reinventing it. Too often on tribute albums 'cover' has become synonymous with 'copy', a trap that the Doors compilation largely avoided but which the Bowie album didn't, though at least with this series the very fact that you have female singers interpreting songs originally performed by men means there's an immediate shift of focus (and occasionally, of necessity, of lyrics too), so they are never anything less that interesting. The album closes with two of the strongest tracks, Alice Lee's soulful "Sea Of Secrets"and darkblueworld's deceptively complex and powerful "Take It Like A Man"--both bringing more than their share to this particular party.
- Jamie Field in Kington, England and Russ Elliot in New York (musical discoveries)

Release date: October 23, 2003

Press release here.

You can also purchase from me directly thru Paypal.

Payments can be made to info@alicelee.com in the amount of $8 including shipping. Mention whether you'd like it mailed to you or if you'd like to download it electronically.

The Art of Forgetting

Recorded at Studio G Brooklyn, featuring Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu, They Might Be Giants) and Yuval Gabay (Soul Coughing, Roni Size).

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Joel Hamilton (Shiner, JJParadise Players Club).

Tracklisting (listen here):

Available online at CDBaby.com.

Plaudits:
This remarkably unique and versatile songstress has a wonderfully arresting voice. She ...suggests what would happen if Norah Jones wrote songs with Fiona Apple and performed them with Portishead... Lee's voice carries an innate spectre of danger and tragedy that suits her writing style perfectly. Distinct rhythm, distinct delivery, distinct style: lovely. - Joseph McCombs, Starpolish.com

We are still speechless about her great music. This is even beyond her last effort... Alice has come a long way... and she'll go even further still. Just you wait. - Mike Perazetti, thefeveredbrainofradiomike.com

A lush, hypnotic followup to her edgy debut, the Quicksand ep, which came out a couple of years ago. It's more of the same gently passionate, soul-inflected vocals and smart, biting lyrics, this time layered over trance-inducing drum loops, with phased keyboards and guitars fading in and out of the mix... Fans of Portishead, Lida Husik, Massive Attack, Everything But the Girl and other downtempo, drum-and-bass oriented acts will love this cd. - Alan Young, Trifecta Music

Alice Lee's six song third EP, The Art of Forgetting, is so appealing... Lee's record combines elements of Bjork, Fiona Apple, and Sarah McLachlan...The album opens with the infectiously appealing "The Choice". The song sounds like a real sing along hit and I wouldn't be surprised to hear it on the radio one day. The rest of the record moves away from the pop appeal of the first track and into a darker feel, hence the Bjork influence. Although the songs contain less hooks they are still appealing overall and you'll find yourself engrossed in the music. This record is a good showcase of Lee's talents overall though, and even holds a hint of where she could go in the future... she could go far with her music and it will be interesting to see where it goes from here. - southofmainstream.com

Release date: September 15, 2003

Bridge to Music: Indie Sounds From Brooklyn's Underground features the incredible talent of independent musicians living in Brooklyn, NY.

About This Product:

Bridge to Music features 16 tracks that reflect diverse musical styles - from pop and indie rock to singer/songwriter ballads, to soulful R&B-influenced dance numbers.

The CD was initiated by Harris Radio (www.harrisradio.com), a Brooklyn-based Internet radio station that focuses on promoting independent musicians, many from New York City and nearby.

All profits from sales will be donated to the United Nations World Food Programme Africa Hunger Alert.

Artists featured include: Alice Lee, Chris Belden, Chris Brown, Donkeys, Emily Zuzik, Mudville, Nayon Kim, Reuben, Sexfresh, The Cooper Vane, Valeze and Warren Zanes.

New tracks at Studio G:

I usually am demoing at home and tracking songs for eventual completion at the G. Here are some tracks for your listening pleasure. They are here in mp3 format.

someday	mp3	home demo
love is a thief +new!+	mp3	home demo
perfect girl	mp3	home demo
retrograde heart	mp3	home demo
letter to no one	mp3	home demo
where are you my love? +new!+	mp3	rough mix

Quicksand CDs are available for purchase:

at gigs
at Amazon and now at CDStreet, in addition to CDBaby, Barnes and Noble, CDNow, CD Universe

Release date: May 25, 2001

The Quicksand EP

Tracks:

Could This Be Love? (download mp3)
Not An Exit
Quicksand
Running Into Walls
Quicksand Kellogg's Diner Remix

The studio diary can be found here. Special thanks to Tony Maimone and Joel Hamilton at G for gettin' medieval on the thing.

Kudos:

Like a great cup of coffee with a shot of Bailey’s in a dark, intimate club, Alice Lee starts off with “Could This Be Love?” She gets down with her bad self on “Not an Exit,” featuring a funky beat, Middle Eastern-themed guitar licks, and her voice that takes on Alanis Morissette’s ballsy attitude. The Quicksand EP contains six shrewd songs that thrive with Alice’s clever lyrics and wide vocal range. Backing her up on the CD is Matt Brubeck on cello and bassist Tony Maimone, who has also worked with such diverse artists as They Might Be Giants and Pere Ubu. It’s hard to pinpoint Alice’s unique musical style, but hopefully it’s where modern rock is heading. - Performing Songwriter Magazine

Why do strong women songwriters typically get cast into Lillith Fair, grrl power, indie rock? Does it have no other place in the world and instead have to be merely generalized? Our opinion is no. Brooklynite Alice Lee brings the acoustic/electric hammer down on her eclectic six-song EP...She breaks the boundaries of the solo artist, combining electronic drum n' bass samples, ferocious guitar assaults and demure, soaring vocals. The result -- A fearless, unique artist ready to take on the world. - Rubbing Elbows with: Michelle Shocked, Lamb, Basia - Pork Tartare Magazine

ALICE LEE is the Biggest Surprise Yet. We Heard and Saw Her Last at the C-Note maybe Two Year Ago and Thought She was Pretty Good. But We just Received Her New CD last Week and Guess What? Alice's Music is Just Beyond the confines of Anything We could have Imagined. This Music and Alice Should Be Playing the Biggest Clubs in the City or At Least Opening for Some of the Bigger Touring Acts. This is Almost the Music of a Chanteuse. She is THAT Good. See Her Soon.
-- Mike Perazzetti, thefeveredbrainofradiomike.com

Well, here's a good way to start off an otherwise dreary month – Alice Lee's vocals sonically waver between the likes of Joni Mitchell and Ani DiFranco. And though the first cut, "Could This Be Love," has a dreamy, jazzy, coffeehouse feel to it, the next number, "Not An Exit," smacks you upside the head with some real funk. ..there is something about Lee that is attractive, as her vocals dart about, going from breathy to furious, and points in between. You get a real feel for sensitivity, as delicate or harsh as Lee can be (oh, and her bandmates are no slouches either).
- Bill Ribas, nyrock.com

Funny coincidence but Alice started busking in the streets of Gent (that´s where I live) ...she´s building up her own musical empire with the help of musicians who already have worked with Sheryl Crow, Tom Waits and Pere Ubu...so I guess the next time Alice´s back will be in a venue though! ... But good, on this EP Alice is bringing you five songs ... you can compare Alice to alternative rockladies like PJ Harvey or Catpower. "Quicksand" is a very nice introduction from an artist who knows what she wants....if only I knew that she was busking here!!!
- Didier Becu, The Original Sin Fanzine (Belgium)

A fine example of a solo artist with access to an acoustic guitar, laptop computer and lots of quiet time in which to experiment with her sound. The genre of the 14 songs available on her page run the gamut from folk to trip hop.

After some deliberation, I concluded Alice's experimental tone shared more similarities with Beth Orton's fluid style than Ani - especially when Alice's voice took on a emotionally distracted tone...Her roots are certainly deep in folk, but her willingness to explore other styles make her a more interesting artist. When I finally left the house, Alice was still stuck in my head. - Vanessa Moore, Demorama

Song title: "Could This Be Love?"
Album: The Quicksand EP
Background: From Boston to Brooklyn
Why do we think she's so worthy? Damn this is pretty. And it's not only JANE and Maybelline that thinks so. Jill Cunniff put in her two cents as well, and who the hell are we to argue with that? Not that we'd want to. Alice writes it all, plus plays piano and guitar. Chances are, you'll dig her soulful, eclectic tunes as much as we did and feel compelled to visit www.alicelee.com. - Jane Magazine

This fearless firestarter armed with guitar and full-throttle imagination brings inventive guitar chops and soulful, sensual vocals to an eclectic, addictive mix of songs. Alice never met a weird tuning she didn't like or a note she couldn't hit, and that adventurous sensibility fuels the five excursions to the outer limits of accessibility on The Quicksand EP. Knowing how much more material she has this kitty will be purring and singing until the whole world is listening. Shouldn't take long. - Alan Young/Trifecta Records

Wake up world, here's Alice Lee. This brief but exciting CD-EP, a fleshed-out and focused follow-up to last year's intriguing but unformed Electra Complex demo, shines a light on a strong, proudly idiosyncratic singer-songwriter. Backed by a taut, jazzy trio (Joel Hamilton, guitars; David Flores, drums; and ex-Pere Ubu bassist Tony Maimone, with the memorable addition of cellist Matt Brubeck), Lee frames her forceful vocals and urgent strumming in spare, atmospheric arrangements that leave ample room for emoting. The "Kellogg's Diner Remix" of the title track edges into drum n bass space, revealing an experimental streak that augurs well for future outings. Hot stuff, well worth a listen.- Jim Santo, Demo Universe.com

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The eLECTRA cOMPLEX demos, vol. one

Tracks:

Jezebel (download mp3)

Dice of Life/It's Your...

Mud (for lack of a better word)+ (listen here)

Lament+ (listen here)

Original Sin+

Tempus Fugit (listen here)

+ live and acoustic

The eLECTRA cOMPLEX demos, vol. 1 are now available at gigs, mp3.com, and cdbaby.

A quirky, bluesy singer-songwriter with an acoustic guitar, Alice Lee is edgier than Jewel, but not as kooky as Polly Jean Harvey. Ani DiFranco is not far off the mark, but Mary Margaret O'Hara is probably the closest kin, if you've ever heard of her (and you should, she's great). Lee's funky, urgent guitar playing is alternately arresting.... According to her cool web site, a new recording is nearly done and an electric band will debut November 6 at CB's Gallery, featuring bassist Tony Maimone of Pere Ubu/They Might Be Giants fame. Check 'em out if you're in the nabe. - Jim Santo, Demo Universe.com

the soulful and sometimes mournful vocals of Brooklyn, NY's Electra Complex evoke visions of Fiona Apple with a more badass musical accompaniment than just a piano- Groundwaves, Digital Radio for the Global Underground

The chorus of Original Sin is amazing; the modal melody against those chords just gives me chills... The whole CD is relentlessly inventive and engaging. Great guitar work on Lament, too. - Chris Decker, singer/songwriter

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