ALICE IN VIDEOLAND DANCE WITH ME SINGLE NATIONAL RELEASE: JUNE 2, 2003 REVIEW: JUNE 15, 2003

The current vogue for electronic music has had some curious effects. One of them being that Swedish post-progg label National’s latest signing is bodypunk band Alice in Videoland, who don’t exactly sit comfortably next to labelmates like Stefan Sundström and the late Allan Edwall.
This female fronted quartet has a foundation that’s DAF - straightforward synth basses and monotonous acoustic drumming. They do however add some new ingredients in the shape of quirky off-kilter noises, Toril Lindqvist’s rabid vocals and a good portion rock’n’roll. In this case, though, the sum is smaller than the parts. Alice in Videoland’s take on synth music works better than countrymen The Knife’s, but it’s far inferior to, say, the electropunk moments on Primal Scream’s “Xtrmntr” and “Evil Heat” albums, both perfect examples of how well these elements can collide.
But I certainly don’t wish to judge a new, small band like Alice in Videoland out on the basis of simply a single. I admire their genuine punk DIY attitude - they’ve been active for just over a year, and have already released three demos and signed a record deal. I look forward to hear their debut album.

KRISTOFFER NOHEDEN