School of Seven Bells' full-length debut, Alpinisms, is best introduced with a little etymology: Mercurial French author Rene Daumal defined 'alpinism' as 'the art of climbing mountains.' Alpinists are both athletes and mystics. They practice 'pure' climbing, hands gripping the cragged incline sans rope or guide, forcing their bodies ever-upward in the name of earthly enlightenment. 'Alpinisms,' says Daumal enthusiast and guitarist Alejandra Deheza, 'are mountain-climbing songs.' Alpinism is an electronically enhanced Pop record of dizzying highs and claustrophobic lows, whose painstaking conception shows in its detail-laden crevices. On the album's best tracks 'the polyrhythmic dream-pop' of 'Face to Face in High Places'.
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