"Thinning of the Veil" "There are swirling mists in Alice Despard's music...but also beacons which pierce the fog. Melancholy verses shift to ebullient refrains, roundabout riffs yield to trenchant leads, floating melodies are suddenly redirected by a gathering beat. Despard's style can be compared to that of many bands that combined folkie tunes with psychedelic grooves. Specific influences aren't conspicuous, however, in such songs as the sprightly "Superfine Comb" or the stark (and Beatles-quoting) "Hold You Up." The musician has developed an assured, individual style, one that can be spacious yet never sounds overinflated....[a] precise balance between the cosmic and the earthy that keeps "Thinning of the Veil" grounded even at its loftiest."

"Thinning of the Veil" "There are swirling mists in Alice Despard's music...but also beacons which pierce the fog. Melancholy verses shift to ebullient refrains, roundabout riffs yield to trenchant leads, floating melodies are suddenly redirected by a gathering beat. Despard's style can be compared to that of many bands that combined folkie tunes with psychedelic grooves. Specific influences aren't conspicuous, however, in such songs as the sprightly "Superfine Comb" or the stark (and Beatles-quoting) "Hold You Up." The musician has developed an assured, individual style, one that can be spacious yet never sounds overinflated....[a] precise balance between the cosmic and the earthy that keeps "Thinning of the Veil" grounded even at its loftiest."

"Thinning of the Veil" "There are swirling mists in Alice Despard's music...but also beacons which pierce the fog. Melancholy verses shift to ebullient refrains, roundabout riffs yield to trenchant leads, floating melodies are suddenly redirected by a gathering beat. Despard's style can be compared to that of many bands that combined folkie tunes with psychedelic grooves. Specific influences aren't conspicuous, however, in such songs as the sprightly "Superfine Comb" or the stark (and Beatles-quoting) "Hold You Up." The musician has developed an assured, individual style, one that can be spacious yet never sounds overinflated....[a] precise balance between the cosmic and the earthy that keeps "Thinning of the Veil" grounded even at its loftiest."

"...soaringly lyrical style...Despard's melodies match her voice: dark and earthy, but capable of celestial flights."

Alice acknowledges influences as diverse as Van Morrison, Neil Young, Mission of Burma, and the Sea and Cake. And while her influences are rarely worn on her sleeve, when you take a look at the ones mentioned here, a vast guitar-shaped territory of smart songwriting begins to map itself out. Smack dab in the center you'll find Alice's music.

"Lush, ethereal country-rock may seem a curious concept, but this local singer-songwriter manages to combine heaven and Earth in 11 songs that are both mysterious and urgent."

"Alice Despard is one of the great songwriters going these days...If her writing skills weren't enough, Despard has a haunting, low-alto voice that immediately brings chills to the spine....She's unique and utterly compelling."

"Despard's solo album is a temptestuous affair, full of grim American country rock ambience and unfettered emotion...Think Patti Smith or a female Neil Young. Think artists who make it real..."

"...unflinchingly powerful songs which can't escape the brain no matter what...brilliant and astonishing..."

"..one of the finest voices on the Washington music scene, Despard sings her own powerful compositions, rock songs filled with nearly hymnlike melodies."