ALLENE ROHRER: Alchemy

Allene Rohrer

Alchemy

© 2007 Allene Rohrer (796873008235)

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Captivating and eclectic singer-songwriter style with pop sensibility, folk-rock overtones and memorable hooks.

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Allene Rohrer does not sound like anyone in particular. Perhaps this is due to her early inundation of classical music, old folk songs and African folk and urban music. She was not exposed to popular music until she got her first radio and the ability to control what she listened to when she was 12 years old. While she readily embraced this new music, she never forgot her roots, which can be glimpsed in her beautiful melodic structures and eclectic rhythms. Being outside the box puts Allene in a unique position to appeal to a diverse cross-section of listeners.

She has performed in and contributed songs to San Francisco Bay Area bands The Mean Streaks, The Blue Bloods, Trench, Danger, Thread and The Biddy & Buddy Show. She has also lent her vocal abilities to many other local groups in performance and recordings. Her song writing style encompasses singer-songwriter, pop, folk, rock, country, jazz, and blues. Recently, her focus has turned from performing to composing for other performers and for film and television.

Allene has two self-releases, Synergism (released November 2001) and Alchemy (released January 2008). She has had a song featured on the E television program Hollywood Nights about the popular Los Angeles nightclub Club Cherry. Her song Eyes (from Alchemy) is part of the soundtrack for the award winning independent short film Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves. Allene’s recent release, Alchemy, was rated number 1 in Zeitgeist’s hottest reviews of January 2008.

reviews

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  • Excellent Folk CD - Superb Production!
    author: RadioIndy.com

    "Alchemy" by Allene Rohrer is a collection of beautiful, well-produced folk songs. What makes this album unique is its full, layered sound. Every track is fresh and innovative. Some tracks exude pure acoustic beauty, while others exhibit elements of blues and rock. Moreover, Allene's voice is soothing, determined, and backed by superb musicianship. Highlights include "Never There,” which demonstrates lovely acoustic guitar work, and introduces a bit of an Island feel. Furthermore, the vocals on this track are timeless and layered with heavenly harmonies. "True Hearted Man" is a ‘low-light’ blues number with stunningly intimate vocals. Additionally, "Water" reprises the Island feel and features beautiful harmonies and soulful lyrics. If you like Kate Bush or The Carpenters, you'll like this one.

  • Rich, complex and luscious
    author: jbb

    Many of the songs on this album sound as if they were written as parts of a larger stories that we are fortunate to catch hints of here. Allene fills her new cd with tantalizing glimpses of lives and loves and losses that resonate long after the songs end. The listener is left with a feeling that there is so much more to know about the world she has crafted in Alchemy. An amazing cd from start to finish with the stand-out "Billy" being a personal favorite.

  • Quality, Quality, Quality
    author: Mycroft

    The enchanting Miss A has served up a treat for the faithful and new listeners alike. There is no pigeon hole for this album. Each song reflects a mood, a thought, a feeling, a musical flutter of the muse. However I found all the songs had one thing in common. Honesty. Every lyric says something real, each chord and harmony are carefully thought out by a talented musician. This is real music, not planned to please a generic faceless audiance, but rather designed to be true to itself and be of the highest quality it can strive to. If it finds you and pleases you, well, as they say in the rag trade; " If it hangs straight and doesn't shrink, I wish you well to wear it out".

  • Ethereal
    author: Chad and Adam

    Allene Rohrer's heavenly voice has the amazing ability to both calm and energize. In an album that shows amazing breadth and variety, Allene treats the listener to creative melodies that you simply do not hear from other artists. They are different, but not the kind that are so far out that you cannot sing along or find yourself swaying back and forth to them. And wow, the instrumentation - so pleasing! We agree with Sarah S.'s review about "Eyes," our favorite song on the album. The first time we heard it, I think we played it 5 times! Sweet, sentimental, with beautiful piano and harmonies that have a hint of mystery to them. Allene takes us out of our heads and into an ethereal world with oodles of pleasure.

  • Airy
    author: Indie-music.com

    Airy, pure vocals and an eclectic blend of styles!

  • Spun Gold
    author: Robert Randles, Former President, Society of Music Editors

    Alchemist Allene Rohrer spins gold as she tunefully ventures among genres, surprising us with the beauty of her discoveries.

  • an abundance of instant riches
    author: Stuart A Hamilton, Zeitgeist

    …I loved it straight out of the box. … there's an abundance of instant riches on offer here, ranging over a few styles from seventies singer / songwriter, folk, country, blues and even a poppy gem or two with 'Eyes' having radio hit written all over it. There's a mid album section of 'True Hearted Man', 'Missing You' and 'Always With You' which is almost faultless as every line and note seems to have passed through a stringent weights and measures examination to make sure that every single thing is exactly right. Remarkable… Review in its entirety: http://z14.invisionfree.com/Zeitgeist/index.php?showtopic=1887

  • Sincere, Captivating, Refined
    author: Mike Thayer

    I have been completely absorbed by this CD since I first heard it. Each song offer deep exploration of beautiful, profound lyrics and polished, intricate arrangements. It's wonderful musicianship start to finish. But to be honest: I just love listening to it. It appeals to all my tastes for original, sincere, unpretentious music.

  • A veritable smorgisbord of scintillating sonics
    author: B.J. Cryptsub

    From the opening track, Ms. Rohrer's compositions seduce the listener with depth and texture, and with a solid sense of storytelling. The tracks are quite varied, showcasing her breadth of stylistic sense, while each song features a unique creative imprint all her own. Buy this album and be moved.

  • Allene is alluringly awe-inspiring.
    author: Tom Willis

    From the moment it began, this colorful, melodic tapestry was, at once, fresh and uplifting while simultaneously conveying a soothing modern beat. This unique pulse had me looping it all day while I accomplished my tasks without distraction. Her ensemble has the cohesiveness and variability that portents a lasting legacy.

  • solid
    author: Daniel P.

    i appreciate the other reviews, and they take care of most of the detail, so i'll be brief: this CD has quality songs, tasteful and innovative arrangements, and fine players; and the songs breathe easy, as if they sound just like they want to be. not to say there isn't emotional depth, that runs throughout this recording. some excellent songs here, as good as any.

  • mystifying...
    author: rob mccloskey

    This CD has not left my player since it arrived. I see why she named it 'alchemy'. It creates a mood all it's own; enchanting...spellbinding. It seems to be weaving a tapestry of sound starting with 'eyes' and ending ironically with 'begin it'. Timeless, songs that get in your blood from the first listen, and call you back for more; and world class players and production values, topped off with beautiful art work enhance this package, and elevate it to 5 star status... it makes me wish I still took drugs.

  • Excellent Collection
    author: Carolyn M.

    This latest CD is outstanding. The ballads are sensual, almost erotic, in content. The orchestration is interesting and non-repetitious. Allene does a good job in recruiting talented, innovative players and setting an atmosphere that brings out their best while remaining true to the song. Her compositions are varied, upbeat pieces with good drive behind them, country songs done with respect for the genre, and probably her strongest point, the slow, get-lost-in-it ballad. It’s a collection that can lift your spirit and cause you to reflect.

  • Truly Gorgeous
    author: Sarah S.

    I LOVE this CD! I could listen to it every single day and in fact, I have since I got it. There is not one bad or even mediocre song on this very eclectic mix. Every song is a sparkling gem onto itself creating fresh and enticing listening landscapes for your ears. “Eyes” is so up beat, bouncy and infectious, I often have to play it again after the first listening since once is not enough! “Never There” and “Billy” are beautiful and melancholic songs of loss which are strong political statements without being preachy. “Falling” reminds me of when I first fell in love and the feelings of excitement, fear and total surrender to the inevitability of falling in love. “Begin It” and “Live” are at once mesmerizing and great reminders of what life is for and the greatness one can accomplish in their lives. Every song is so beautiful and memorable; they stick in my mind and are with me all day long. I have a feeling I am going to wear this CD out, I just love it that much!

  • A luscious collection
    author: C. Lanaois

    I've been a fan of Allene's for a while now and hearing that she finally had another CD in the can was itself music to my ears, but that didn't compare to the sensation of actually hearing Alchemy for the first time. With each song Allene creates an atmosphere you can almost see, feel and smell. Many of these songs drip the syrup of love, loss, lust and loneliness, and the incredible musicians she picked up for this venture make the entire CD....ooze. With the velvety guitars employs on this album, Composer Angelo Badalamenti comes to mind when I hear such songs as "Never There", "Missing You" and "Water". I also want to say her song "True Hearted Man" is simply jaw-dropping. It's a masterpiece of a bluesy ballad on every level and should be included on one of those "Best of The Bay Area" compilations. I can't speak enough about this beautiful, beautiful song. It was upon the second and third listen that I began to familiarize myself with Allene's lyrics. There's more of a unity and emotional direction to this collection of songs, where as her first CD was more of a random collection of great songs (which I guess is what most music buyers such as myself are used to expecting). I look forward to getting to know these songs as well as I've gotten to know those from her first offering and I hope I don't have to wait as long for her third CD.

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