THE ALICE PROJECT: Press/Reviews

The last time Alice Leon of the Alice Project was promoting a new CD, her son Eli was an infant. Now the enthusiastic 5-year-old is playing with the band.

”My son is very musical and whenever we get a chance, he comes onstage with me,” Ms. Leon says.

The former Princeton resident and fixture at such music venues as the Ivy Inn in Princeton lives in Rockland County, N.Y., with her husband-bassist Al Greene and son, but comes to central New Jersey whenever she can.

Ms. Leon will be making a stop at Barnes & Noble in West Windsor with her band May 17, when she will be launching The Alice Project’s fourth self-released CD, The Girl on the Box. Teaming up with guitarist-songwriter-engineer Jimmy Leahey — who has toured with John Waite and Dennis DeYoung — Ms. Leon wrote or co-wrote the eclectic batch of songs, which she says is custom-created for the MP3 age.
”If you look at anybody’s MP3 player it’s not just one genre they’re listening to, it’s everything — it’s really expanded people’s tastes,” Ms. Leon says. “I have everything from Mozart to Radiohead on mine, and it’s about the same with my dad. Everyone has an interesting mixture. It’s all about individual songs, not just themed albums anymore.

”Look at this CD and it really runs through so many different genres of musical styles,” she continues. “There’s alt-country and then ‘80s pop, a little bit of a punky sound to something Beatle-esque to a straight singer-songwriter type of thing. That’s what this collection does and I think it’s an interesting record in that respect.”

The first track “Already Taken,” leaps out at you, with an arrangement, melody and harmonies reminiscent of the Beatles (one of Ms. Leon’s major influences), or maybe the Electric Light Orchestra. There’s a lot going on, but it’s done so deftly, you just get caught up in the song — or as they say in the business, “the record.” Ms. Leon credits this to Mr. Leahey and his “fabulous basement studio.”

”After three CDs and working in big studios and spending a lot of money and not getting what we wanted, we decided to try (recording here),” Ms. Leon says. “Sometimes you’re in the studio and you don’t feel creative but you’ve paid for the time, so you have to be in there. This way, it was nice to have lots of options and lots of time. The downside is that it took us five years because we had so many options and so much time. But we learned the most we could get out of the system.”

All of Ms. Leon’s songs are loosely based on people in her life. The Girl on the Box includes “This is It,” what the singer-songwriter describes as her first true love song — inspired by Eli.

”I guess I didn’t know what love was until I had my son,” Ms. Leon says. “I wrote it for my friend who was getting married. But I went into my son’s room with my guitar while he was sleeping. So I was looking at my son but also with the thought of writing something special for a good friend.”

”October Sky” is a poignant look at a family split by divorce. Written from the point of view of a child whose parents are divorced, it’s a song Ms. Leon says was difficult to pen and even harder to sing.

”You always think of the parents and what they go through (in a divorce) but there’s a much bigger picture,” she says. “(Adults always say) ‘it’s better for us to be apart than together,’ but children are selfish. They want to see the good in (their parents’ marriage). For me personally, my parents were divorced and now I’m a married woman with a child and thinking about how my son would feel. It’s the most emotional song for me to sing. It feels like a big song to me.”

A potentially controversial song is “I See Mary.” With the lines, “you think I’m crazy but I am not so resigned/ to think there’s no one watching over me/ and I’m floating hopelessly,” Ms. Leon comes out on the side of the true believers, people who see Mary, the mother of Jesus, in sidewalk cracks and grilled cheese sandwiches.

”There was an enormous apparition of Mary on the wall of a big church somewhere in Europe and 250,000 people gathered to see it,” Ms. Leon says. “I started to think about it and wondered, ‘Are they all crazy,’ then thought, ‘No, there’s something to this.’ Instead of looking down my nose, I became one of those believers. I have to believe in something rather than nothing at all.

”Whether you believe or not, people are grasping to believe in something,” she adds. “I tried to put that across in the song.”

The cover of the CD has Ms. Leon literally up on a box, dressed in a white gown, strumming a blue acoustic guitar. The formal wear is her latest passion and she encourages anyone coming to the CD launch — male or female — to wear a gown.

”If you have a bridesmaid’s dress, please wear it,” she says. “I think I’m going to start wearing a gown to all my gigs. I have a meeting with the Universal label and I’ve been wondering whether I should wear a gown or not. I would love to be taking the subway, wearing a gown.”

The Alice Project will launch its new CD, The Girl on the Box, at Barnes & Noble, MarketFair, 3535 Route 1 South, West Windsor, May 17, 7 p.m. (609) 716-1570; www.bn.com. The group will also perform at the Princeton Shopping Center, Harrison Street, Princeton, July 24, 6 p.m., and at Palmer Square in Princeton, July 26, 2 p.m. These events are free. The Alice Project on the Web: www.thealiceproject.com

College towns have a way of producing talented singer/songwriters. Princeton, NJ, the home of Princeton University, is also the home of singer/songwriter Alice Leon and her band the Alice Project. One hears a great deal of potential on the Alice Project's second album, Traveling With Lady Berlin, which is vulnerable and sensitive without being wimpy. Leon's expressive vocals and contemplative, often poetic lyrics bring to mind storytellers who range from Carole King to Edie Brickell and Sheryl Crow, but without Crow's tendency to be cryptic at times. The New Jersey resident does a lot of reflecting on this melodic pop/rock effort — tracks like "I Don't Wanna Be Alone," "How I Wish," "Uncle," and "I'm Not Afraid to Live" are quite introspective — but other times, Leon turns her attention to the experiences of others. "Marilyn's Things" is an interesting and pointed number about obsessive Marilyn Monroe fans who attend auctions to make bids on items that the late sex goddess once owned; people who, Leon concludes, must lead very empty lives. And the song's message doesn't only apply to those who obsess over Monroe's possessions. It can apply to anyone who feels the need to live through someone else. Released in late 2000, this CD makes one hope that the Alice Project will become better known.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT

THE ALICE PROJECT

"Laden with infectious hooks and sing-a-long choruses, (Alice) Leon’s songs teem with an unabashed spirit that eschews fashion and embraces substance. DIY Top 12 Pick." Performing Songwriter

"Alice Leon ... has come into her own." The New York Times

"vulnerable and sensitive without being wimpy. Leon’s expressive vocals and contemplative, often poetic lyrics bring to mind storytellers who range from Carole King to Edie Brickell and Sheryl Crow. ... This CD makes one hope that the Alice Project will become better known. êêêê" All Music Guide

"Rarely do lyrics this compelling accompany melodies this strong! The pop hooks stick in your head, while the words often leave you laughing, or reflecting on your life experiences, or both. The vocals are alternately sweet and powerful, and the musicianship is top-notch. This is catchy, intelligent pop-rock with broad demo appeal that will sound great on multiple radio formats. Alice has had a successful run at many alternative stations. Now it's pop radio's turn. If you're a program director looking for something that will rise above the pablum and appeal to your hip adult audience, this is it -- on a silver platter." Dave Hoeffel, VP/Executive Director, Friday Morning Quarterback

"Traveling with Lady Berlin could pass for a major label effort, with polished songwriting, crisp production and tight, purposeful playing" Newark Star-Ledger

"As sweet as a Sundays-Heart-Fleetwood Mac-Julianna Hatfield dinner combo with a Bettie Serveert chaser and Paula Cole’s ‘I Am So Ordinary’ soul." Aquarian Weekly

"Best of 2000 Year-End Top 10" Princeton Packet

"The people in Leon’s songs ring true, as they do only in the best of songs by the best of songwriters. ... Highly recommended." Gajoob Magazine

"From now on, I will always think of the Hard Rock Cafe (in Philadelphia) as `Alice’s Restaurant.’ Not because of the Arlo Guthrie song, but because that’s where I first saw and heard the talented Alice Leon." Jewish Exponent

"refreshingly adult and self-sufficient. ... bubbly but not bubblegum, a sound that’s mostly happy without the sappy. ... a fresh voice with a classic approach." Creative Loafing Savannah

"These tracks could easily fit into any playlist without any listener knowing that The Alice Project wasn’t on a major label. The overall sound, songwriting and performances are that solid." The Daily Vault

"Cozy melodies coupled with Leon’s slightly raspy and always warm voice make `Traveling with Lady Berlin’ an easy diversion." Home News Tribune

"Song-driven rock with commercial appeal. ... Sometimes rousing, other times soothing, but always Alice." Songwriter’s Monthly

"Alice Leon more than holds her own with her excellent lyrics, catchy melodies, passionate but friendly singing and crackerjack co-production." Bridgewater (N.J.) Courier-News

"I wouldn’t be surprised if they get signed to the next Lilith Fair tour (if there ever is one). ... They’re a band on the rise." Liner Notes/CD World

"If you haven’t heard of The Alice Project before now, you probably will soon. ... Alice’s blend of acoustic sense with whole notes and intelligence for the pop she propagates is going to win her friends and influence others." @NZone Magazine

"intelligent, hooky, hummable rock ‘n’ roll that soothes the soul." Pocono Record

"... this group just may be able to break through from ‘local act’ to ‘regional act’ and -- with a dollop of major record company marketing muscle -- on to ‘national act.’ U.S. 1

"I *LOVE* the new CD.Very cool. I've listened to it twice already." Derek Sivers, President, CD Baby

THE ALICE PROJECT Travelling With Lady Berlin [Clown Milk Records] www.thealiceproject.com

Alice Leon leads The Alice Project from the front, displaying her strong musical attributes, prominently, a solid set of pipes that, to these ears, bring to mind the likes of Chrissie Hynde, Shawn Colvin, Aimie Mann (and even Grace Slick too!). If these comparisons suggest an adult alternative pop perspective then you're right - there is an emphasis on simple infectious melodies and mature arrangements that leans rather heavily towards the sound of Bruce Hornsby (Scott Monetti's piano playing is the key to this) and Dan Fogelberg. AOR? Perhaps but you can't seriously quibble with the class of songs like 8-10 Parliament Street, Marilyn's Things and Lady Berlin. Pleasant and slick, with a pedigree soft rock fans will greatly appreciated. 7.5

Artist: The Alice Project
Genre: Pop
CD Review:
Nope, it's not an Alice Cooper tribute album. The Alice be Alice Leon, scooting her vocals around a bit like Amy Grant in the pop era. While I like the rock/pop opening of 'A Room of My Own' (which seems to me, subject wise, to be a bit of a kid's song about independence), I prefer the wicked tone of 'Bob'. She sings simply, but the spite on her old flame is there like an iced campfire. 'I saw white you saw black / guess that's the reason / we're not going back'. Yep, that would do it! 'Goodbye Old Friend' brings back to me those early 90s days when all the Queen members were doing their ballads to the late great Freddie Mercury. Anyway, this is a gentle rock end song that would be great at a funeral (and I mean that with respect). Some fine pop and rock and a bottle of unplugged suppressed emotions here. Smile!