As a whole, the original Alpinisms warrants much praise. Songs like “Iamundernodisguise”, “Half Asleep” and “Connjur” are, quite literally, among the best electro-pop songs released this year. And, in some ways, School Of Seven Bells defies that genre classification, as their music strays into an occasional repetitive shoegaze, hints at a little feedback filled noise, and dives headlong into a swirling and dreamy atmospheric state.

With success rampant thanks to a fair share of hype and positive reviews alike, SVIIB now gives Alpinisms a bit of an edge, adding to the digital release nine additional tracks including remixes, alternate versions, and even a demo.

The “Wired For Light (Live Drum Version)” is exactly how it sounds; an alternate version in which the instrumentation is stripped away for a beat heavy track. “Half Asleep (Alternate Version)” takes a completely different approach than the original, but is no less appealing. All of these songs possess the core traits of their counterparts. In that, they’re no less powerful, no less gripping, than those original tracks.

One of the more intriguing tracks is the live version of “Caldo” for Stereogum’s Decomposed series. The minimal instrumentation and alternating language from English to Spanish make it one of the deluxe version’s high points. However, it’s the true favorite off Alpinisms that takes the cake — “Iamundernodisguise (Vocal Mix I)”.

With this deluxe version of Alpinisms, it’s no secret that School Of Seven Bells has been busy. And that’s not all — the band recently announced their follow-up to this album, Disconnect From Desire will hit next year.

School Of Seven Bells: Iamundernodisguise (Vocal Mix I) [mp3]

Vagrant Records [Deluxe LP, 2009]

1. Iamundernodisguise
2. Face To Face On High Places
3. Half Asleep
4. Wired For Light
5. For Kalaja Mari
6. White Elephant Coat
7. Connjur
8. Sempiternal/Amarnath
9. Chain
10. Prince Of Peace
11. My Cabal
12. Wired For Light (Live Drum Version)
13. Half Asleep (Alternate Version)
14. White Elephant Coat (Early Demo Version)
15. Caldo (Live on Stereogum’s Decomposed)
16. Sempiternal-Amarnath (Alternate Version)
17. Iamundernodisguise (Vocal Mix I)
18. My Cabal (Early Mix 07)
19. Connjur (Alternate Version)
20. For Kalaja Mari (Drum Outtake Mix)

Written by Fense

In 2007, Ben Curtis left Secret Machines, but he had a plan. His plan was to focus on his new project with former On!Air!Library! twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza. That project is titled School Of Seven Bells (MySpace). While the band has toured with groups like Blond Redhead (you can hear the similarities, though they’re a bit of a stretch at times as School of Seven Bells is a bit more electronic), their sound is notably closer to M83.

So, it should come as no surprise that they’ll be touring the states this fall with M83, hitting the Pacific Northwest this November: Seattle at Neumos on the 25th, Vancouver (BC) at Richard’s On Richards on the 26th, and Portland at Doug Fir Lounge on the 27th.

My introduction to the band came when I spotted the limited print 12” EP Face To Face On High Places in a used bin. I snagged up the gem quickly, cherishing the clear 12-inch spherical plate. Mixed with the twins’ vocals, the tunes sounded slightly strange but good nonetheless.

Now School Of Seven Bells is back with a new album, Alpinisms, out October 28 on Ghostly International and the first single, “Half Asleep”, is available for pre-order here.

Listening to Alpinisms is much like listening to a dream, could you slip inside someone’s head while they sleep pleasantly. The music, as mentioned above, blends unique dual female vocals with electronic elements. While “Half Asleep” will be the first single — and rightfully so… the song is amazingly catchy and mellow and all-around great — “Connjur” is the one available for public consumption now and I’ve included it below.

Keep your eye out for Alpinisms, coming this fall.

School Of Seven Bells: Connjur [mp3]