With this well crafted album, Alex Cooper has created an atmospheric tapestry of sound that will provide a compelling listen from the first track to last. The album kicks off with Dream, a bright catchy song with optimistic lyrics delivered with stunning vocals, done by Kate Lesing, that will simply take your breath away. In HEAR MY PRAYER, we are treated to the dramatic compelling vocals of 'newwine' who delivers a stunning performance of his own against the backdrop of sound Alex has put together that blends beat with harmony and melody, the perect match to the mood set by the mystical (read spiritual) lyrics assembeld by newwine. From this point, we move on to "I LEFT IT OPEN (sheer drama here), vocal delivered by Morelia, the other singer involved in the project initiated by Alex. That makes three excellent tracks in a row. At this point, you'd think it's got to taper off a bit, right? But, no, it doesn't. In comes the beautiful intro to "IT'S WHAT YOU GOT TO DO". In "NERVERLAND" we are once again treated to the sweet vocals of Kate Lesing and a perfect blend of electronica that is moody, emotional and highly intoxicating as a result of Alex's imaginative use of sound, rhythm and texture. In each and every song, Alex and friends take you, the listener, on a magical journey of heart, mind and spirit. If you like well crafted electronica laced with stunning vocals and fine lyrics, this is the album for you. Excellent production throughout, a joy to listen to. No long winded empty solos.Not a dull moment anywhere. Alex and peers get straight to the point. Each of the collaborators has put enough heart and soul into the album to make it a potent irresitable collection that will surely have you coming back for more. The last and final word is simply "MASTERFUL"! Try it! You'll like it!

Alex Cooper
Dream

Have you ever had those idle moments when you log on to Myspace and wonder who puts their music into the really obscure genres, like Dutch Pop or Emotronic? Well, if they ever decide to add a category called Christian Trance, you'll probably find Alex Cooper there.

Unlike many, his CD has survived the long journey from the States intact, possibly due to the intervention of the Lord, but more likely because of armour-plated wrapping that takes four SOS staff an hour to crowbar away. Inside, the artwork suggests a gritty dimension, but the production majors on that sort of slick-but-cheesy quality that you often hear in house and trance music, with a dash of New Order-style '80s synth-pop. There's no shortage of machine-gunning snare rolls and bleepy leads, but on the other hand, the 'proper' song structures, soulful vocals and generally subdued tempos hint that this album is intended for the hi-fi rather than the clubs.

If that's the case, I think it would be a good idea to leave behind some of the hackneyed sounds and production ideas and strike out in a darker direction. For instance, most of the tracks are built around female vocal parts that are lyrically uninteresting and musically over-familiar, while in contrast, the gruff tones of Newwine's vocal on 'Hear My Prayer' add a freshness that's missing elsewhere. Likewise, Cooper is an able programmer, but too many of his synth patches and drums sound like they could have come from a sample CD called Christian Trance Construction Kit. Now there's a gap in the market... Sam Inglis

www.soundclick.com/alexcooper