Brooklyn's SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS' (formed by Secret Machines guitarist Ben Curtis) sweeping ethereal pop debut Alpinisms reveals a vast array of influences and a sophisticated approach to arrangement, resulting in a collection of songs that are effortlessly cohesive and insidiously catchy. Like many bands before them, School Of Seven Bells were born as the result of a late-night revelation. Benjamin Curtis connected with identical twin vocalists Alejandra and Claudia Deheza whilst their bands Secret Machines and On-Air Library! were on tour together in 2004. By the end of 2006, Curtis and the Deheza sisters had completely disappeared into School of Seven Bells. From the outset it was clear that the trio's music transcended the usual genre restrictions. In 2007 they attracted interest from Blonde Redhead, who tapped into their talent and asked the band to join them for a tour. Remixes from Cocteau Twins, Robin Guthrie and Prefuse 73 eventuated. School of Seven Bells' music is full of tensions; Curtis' gentle guitars wrap around jagged beats, silky vocals hide behind grumpy alien synthesizers. Elements of dream-pop, Afrobeat, IDM, and 4AD's gauzier moments provide a constantly shifting frame for Dehezas' lyrics. These three seasoned musicians have taken up full-time residence in a dizzying fantasy world; they move freely within the realm of pickpockets and dreamers, composing a soundtrack according to their own odd, beautiful logic.