Alpha Hopper

Reviews

Alpha Hopper Let Heaven and Nature Sing II LP

Heavy mix of noise punk, math rock, and fucking riffs on this third LP from Buffalo, NY’s ALPHA HOPPER. Molten, head-nodding riffs often split apart into intricate intertwining guitar leads that rival DON CABALLERO at their most rockin’, while still maintaining the chaos of ARAB ON RADAR. This would be a rad heavy alt/noise rock record if not for vocalist Irene, whose voice resembles Lucy from BIG CLOWN in timbre and rhythmic delivery. The high-pitched vocals steer the ship in a punk direction, and it sounds incredible. When the guitars started tangling on opener “She’s Thunder,” I had the thought that ALPHA HOPPER is the only band who could make a YES cover sound cool. Tracks like “So Easy” and “Down in Flames” rip with noisy, interlocking leads and slow, chugging buildups. Short instrumental tracks “AH01,” “AH02,” and “AH03” provide blooming psych explorations that, while rare on a DIY punk record, add a grandiose weight to the album that totally works. Check this one out.

Alpha Hopper Alpha Hex Index LP

I’m too stupid and narrow-minded to be writing this review. ALPHA HOPPER is for self-assured smart punks who like the experience of walking down a long hallway of practice spaces and hearing a fucked up amalgamation of shrieks, needling guitars, brief moments of respite, breakdowns, and bashing drums—a.k.a. hardcore people who’ve never listened to the NEGATIVE APPROACH 7″. It’s more jagged and technical than a group from rusty old Buffalo would have you believe. Responsibly haphazard mathcore for people who could barely pass geometry, with schoolgirl bully vocals on top. Alpha Hex Index is for those who survived the ’90s, people who want more from modern hardcore or who want their No Wave to have crunch.

Alpha Hopper Aloha Hopper LP

A little too quirky to be hardcore, too heavy to be rock, and probably post-a-lot-of-things, this record might not be groundbreaking, but it’s pretty hard to pin down. Snotty, screamed vocals that sound straight out of the early ’90s sit nicely in the mix with AmRep-style noise rock. It’s busy enough to be interesting, but not so busy that it isn’t catchy.