"La Peste" Alabama 3 (Elemental Records) review by Ruth

La peste: 1) plague...

For most people, modern soul begins and ends with the sixties pop of Birth, or the Scott Walker-isms of Cousteau. Welcome then the real, down and dirty out-and-out funk entry. As we keep being told these days, America is sick with the stench of capitalistic corruption and the ignorance of a public unable to choose who to lead them, and are desperately trying to ignore the reason why.

But then again Alabama 3 have known of the fading of the American Dream for a lot longer than others. The dis-united state they inhabit is the one that most people don't admit to in their cosy safe homes and sweet suburban lives. One of nights spent in rundown bars hearing stories of lonely drunks, prostitutes and the mafia. Of a longing for the brat-pack days and innocence lost once the sun goes down. Of bible-belt towns where religious selfishly ignore the drug-fueled decay of their families. Of the darker side of your personality. Of death and decay. Of the one most people know only in the disgusted prickles at the back of their necks. I don't think this is quite what The Rembrandts had in mind when they wrote about 'The Other Side Of Night'.

And the sound of the seedy underbelly of this two-faced America fuses the soulful gospel choirs (courtesy of the Street Angels Choir 2000) with decadent rhythmic funk and Massive Attack-style atmospherics, hints of bluegrass and country, piano balladry, all mixed together in this soundtrack to a city sunset. And though you know you shouldn't give in, it's difficult to resist the dark seduction of the hammond soul of 'Cocaine (Killed My Community)', the slick voiced Larry Love's testifying on single 'Too Sick To Pray', or their own take on 'Hotel California' with added 'Karmacoma' like sinister leanings. Because in this town, there's certain places you go and certain places you don't. And if you go here you gotta be willing to take the consequences.
But then again, who would've expected it from a band from London.

2) EXCL (litter.) good gracious!

5/5

www.alabama3.co.uk