Phoebe Bridgers: Stranger In The Alps (Indie Exclusive Colored Vinyl) Vinyl LP

Julien Baker's 2017 record earned a lot of well-deserved praise, especially since her debut album flew comparatively under the radar. One can only hope that it doesn't take a second record for Phoebe Bridgers to get the recognition she deserves. Stranger in the Alps is among 2017's most exquisite releases. It is equal parts heart-warming and heart-wrenching, driven by a remarkable, vulnerable performance by the up-and-coming artist.Bridgers has been touted frequently by Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst and has even been known to cover him during her live shows, and this relationship makes a great deal of sense. Bridgers has Oberst's lyrical genius, weaving seamlessly between the hyper-personal and the resoundingly universal. She can strike you with the specificity of a diary entry ("Singing 'Ace of Spades' when Lemmy died, but nothing's changed. LA's all right.") or make you feel less alone with pause-giving insight ("Can the killer in me tame the fire in you? Is there nothing left to do for us?"). While her live shows are often defined by sparseness and buoyed exclusively by her unbelievable voice and minimalistic guitar-playing, the arrangements on Stranger in the Alps maintain her folk ethos but add an otherworldliness to her sound with everything from haunting echoes to subtle drum pulsing. And although there is a noticeable difference between her recorded sound and her live sound, none of this compromises the bottom line: every song on this record has the weight of a single. Each track has an unforgettable hook, a gorgeous vocal performance, and mesmerizing lyrics. She has much of the natural songwriting ability Conor Oberst has had since the beginning, and her debut album feels, in many ways, like a slightly more accessible I'm Wide Awake It's Morning or Fevers and Mirrors.Phoebe Bridgers has everything she needs to take off, and while there has been some critical acclaim for this, it deserves to be in the conversation of 2017's best. If you love Julien Baker, Bright Eyes, Waxahatchee, and other similar acts, this will likely become one of your very favorite releases not just of the year, but of all time.

Stranger in the Alps is a record that I fell in love with slowly, but then all at once. Phoebe's butter-like soft vocals will put you in a trance and you'll want to listen to it constantly. She is a master at lyrics along with her emotional acoustic folk vibe.The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because there is some static to the black vinyl. Don't waste your time in not buying this record. It is truly a masterpiece.

This is a fantastic album from the best, brightest and most creative singer-songwriter I've heard in years. Her style is impossible to pigeonhole, her lyrics are far more mature and complex than what you would expect from someone so young, and her musicianship is top-notch. I hope she has a long and successful career, because if this debut album is any indication, she will have a lot of great music to offer us in the years to come. Do yourself a favor and buy this CD.

Fantastic album. Mostly upbeat, electric guitar “folk” music (singer-songwriter/storyteller), with clever lyrics and solid performance.If female singers, emotional lyrics, or the folk genre aren’t your interests then don’t bother - too many complainers whining that this album isn’t something it’s not claiming to be. But it’s an impressive feat for any artist, much less an initial release!

great record, defective pressing. i suppose that's the problem with 'peak vinyl' though. there's this urgency to press EVERY record EVER made on vinyl, and it doesn't need to be that way. but in the haste, things like this happen. it sounds find, no surface noise, and presumably dead oceans is smart enough to master the record for vinyl; however, the hole in the center of the record was drilled incorrectly. it barely fits onto my turntable, and because it's so snug, it doesn't spin at the right speed- turning slower than 33rpm. in order to get this to play the right way, i have to remove my slip mat. a minor inconvenience but i also feel like i shouldn't have to take apart my turntable to play this.so beware if you buy this lavender edition of the album. you may have this problem too.

This record is haunting and magical. It reminds me a little bit of Kathleen Edwards, "Failer", because she sings with this soft intimate voice on top of themes that can be very dark/sad/troubling. There's a little humor in there too, or at least sarcasm, as hinted by the title. She nails it all. The production by Tony Berg is incredible. Great guests and players on it like Ethan Gruska, John Doe, Conor Oberst and Greg Leisz. It's my go-to right now.

Phoebe's voice is soothing & beautiful. A thoughtful & melancholy record. This disc has been in my car Cd player non-stop since I bought it. My daughter is also in love with this record. This is a record I've waited most of my life for; several have come close, this one delivers. Appearances by Connor & Mike of Bright Eyes & refrences to Bowie & Lemmy were easy to connect to immediately. The rest of the record delivers depth, feelings, images and vocal harmonies of an impressive caliber.

Excellent album! She is in the same class as Julian Baker and that is high praise! So much personality and feeling in her lyrics and voice. I keep listening to this one.

If you have ears and a soul, then this record is definitely one for your collection. Beautiful, bittersweet, at times melancholic and at others, darkly funny. Lyrics and a voice that go together perfectly. Songs that conjure memories of lost youth and reflective introspection. I want to listen to this on repeat while ambling through Yosemite or another national park of equal stature and impressiveness. Or possibly in a coastal area or perhaps a desert. The geography is unimportant. You can listen to it pretty much anywhere.

An absolute sausage. Mind be blown by the seat of my pants for such porky sorcery. Wibbly wibbly indeed.

My son introduced me to Phoebe's songs as a one to watch. He wasn't wrong. Her voice is unique and the songs are mostly quietly haunting ruminations on love, loss and relationships. There is an element of West Coast Folk sound to the album but I'm looking forward to what she dies next. It would be good if she moves out of her comfort zone and does the unexpected. So Definately One To Watch.

I was a little disappointed and didn't think the reviews were particularly accurate. I have played it several times and it doesn't improve.

I listened to the words of 'You missed my Heart' today for the first time - almost broke my heart.