Our latest feature comes from Los Angeles-based act In Search Of. The eclectic duo is here with a unique take on a literature staple, re-told through the lens of pop rock. It’s called Alice and the Wonderland, and you can listen to it on Spotify right now.
You may recognize half of In Search Of from The Voice (team Blake, woo!)… But Michelle Ray’s beautiful voice has been heard all over, including in commercial placements (Bloomingdales, Nickelodeon, Mastercard, Maybellene, just to name a few); on film and television placements; in theatre productions (Alanis Morissette – The Album Project: Jagged Little Pill and American Idiot); as well as live performances throughout her hometown of LA. She’s teamed up with a very special guest, her father and virtuoso guitarist Michael Raitzin, to bring you Alice and the Wonderland, and their unique (but undoubtedly strong) background makes for a wild ride through 13 unforgettable tracks. There’s an undeniable theatrical feel to these songs, almost as if they could be a musical production themselves.
If you haven’t picked up on it by now (see the album art or the YouTube preview below), the album is Alice in Wonderland themed, a genuinely magical journey back into the world of Wonderland viewed through the lens of a teen Alice… But with guitars and crashing drums and Michelle’s highly emotive voice. You’re introduced to the album by way of the narrative adventure “Intro” where we’re re-introduced to all of our favorite characters, It launches right into the metal-tinged “Engagement Party,” which finds Michelle (as Alice) attending a party against her will… Here we’re introduced to the hallmarks of the album – chugging guitars, upbeat tempos, and Michelle’s excellent vocal performance.
“Alice” got the music video treatment, with some behind-the-scenes footage of some Alice and the Wonderland photoshoots. Some of the best rhythms and melodies on AatW can be found here – dripping with quasi-Latin flavor and a bouncing bass guitar root (not to mention an absolutely face-melting guitar solo), “Alice” gets our vote for favorite on the album.
Album highlights and one-two punch “The Red Queen” and “Vorpal Sword” capture one of the most thrilling parts of the fairy tale world – while Michelle sings “Off with their heads” and Michael lets it rip with some blistering guitar work, it evokes the stunning imagery you might remember from the animated movie. While “The Red Queen” is more of a narrative tale, “Vorpal Sword” brings to mind the epic metal of the late 70s and early 80s with it’s high reaching notes, fantastical lyrics, and it’s rollicking double bass drum beat. When Michelle sings about killing the “ugly, ugly Jabberwocky,” it makes you want to raise your fists in solidarity.
There’s lots to dive into here on Alice and the Wonderland, especially for fans of the original work of art. You can find Alice and the Wonderland on Spotify and Soundcloud. Learn more about In Search Of via their website. And be sure to check out the music video for “Alice” below.