Alphabet Backwards, the Oxford based bubblegum rock group have been gaining a lot of exposure in the local area for the past few years and they have slowly, but surely, risen up to the upper echelons of Oxfords local scene to the point where people from outside the dreaming spires have started to sit up and take notice.
It's a new type of rock music. It's not shouty, gruff, self-depreciating or edgy. It's twee, pretty and generally pleasing to the ear. It's impossible to listen to an Alphabet Backwards record without feeling that little bit better about your existence by the end of it, and that makes a pleasant change. Opener 'Big Top' does little to dissuade from this notion. Upbeat, jolly and lathered with playful semi-acoustic guitar and synth, it skips around in your ears, dancing playfully before disappearing gleefully into the sun.
It's difficult to compare Alphabet Backwards to anyone else really. The songs aren't really like anyone else I listen to on a regular basis, but they're engaging and interesting and really do capture the listening audience, and while that's true through a set of headphones, can you therefore imagine how they would look on a festival stage? These songs are ideal for the middle of the afternoon, sunshine bearing down on you in the middle of a field somewhere where nothing else but the music matters. 'Tonight' continues where 'Big Top' left off, jangly and fun, with a real sense of innocence surrounding the whole thing.
This three-track then ends with 'Taller', arguably the most chilled out of the three, a track that lyrically connects with the listener, a folk-tinged love song with a jumpy drumbeat that still keeps the mind dancing, but giving the heartstrings a tiny little pull on the way.
You can argue that all three songs all sound very similar to each other in parts, especially the first two, and that Alphabet Backwards remain firmly lodged in a comfort zone throughout each new EP that arrives. But they're shamelessly fun, and entertain plenty of people, and for that, they should be applauded. After all, everyone has the right to feel good about themselves after hearing a song, and these three on offer here will certainly have that effect.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
It's a new type of rock music. It's not shouty, gruff, self-depreciating or edgy. It's twee, pretty and generally pleasing to the ear. It's impossible to listen to an Alphabet Backwards record without feeling that little bit better about your existence by the end of it, and that makes a pleasant change. Opener 'Big Top' does little to dissuade from this notion. Upbeat, jolly and lathered with playful semi-acoustic guitar and synth, it skips around in your ears, dancing playfully before disappearing gleefully into the sun. 
.jpg)
.jpg)
