Review: Jeffrey Alexander + The Heavy Lidders ‘Liquid Donnon’
Step inside the musical universe of Philadelphia native Jeffrey Alexander, as I did, and you enter a world at once experimental, spiritual, earthly, and cosmic; one that marks him immediately as a quintessential eclectic and a true nonconformist.
His inventive approach to constantly evolving sonic landscapes recalls the pioneering spirit of acid-folk visionary Tom Rapp of Pearls Before Swine, as well as the freewheeling creative instinct of Jerry Garcia from Grateful Dead, and his fellow citizen Chris Forsyth of The Solar Motel Band/Basic. Yet he remains very much his own artist, forging a singular path that is instantly recognisable despite the remarkable diversity of styles he has embraced throughout his career.
Over the course of more than three decades, his prolific output has traversed an astonishing array of musical territories, encompassing experimental folk, psychedelic rock, improvisational jams, ambient soundscapes, drone and avant-garde explorations. His work is driven by curiosity, spontaneity, and a restless creative spirit always seeking new musical horizons.
Alexander has moved effortlessly between solo endeavours and collaborative projects, including Black Forest/Black Sea, The Iditarod, Dire Wolves (formerly known as Just Exactly Perfect Sisters Band), Jackie-O Motherfucker, and his current ensemble, The Heavy Lidders. Across these various incarnations, he has consistently reinvented and reshaped his sound while maintaining a core artistic integrity that places authentic expression. This commitment to artistic freedom has earned him a devoted following among listeners who value imagination.
While it would be tempting to revisit the many fascinating chapters of his long and varied career, doing so would risk diverting attention from the album under review. Instead, I prefer to focus on Liquid Donnon, the latest release from Jeffrey Alexander + The Heavy Lidders that represents his sixth formal album under the moniker. The record stands as a fully realised statement in its own right, continuing the remarkable artistic journey of one of contemporary underground music’s most uncompromising figures.
Apart from The Heavy Lidders‘ main core band – which includes Elkhorn‘s Drew Gardner and Jesse Sheppard – Alexanderhas always treated his albums as open, living collaborations. Over the years, he has drawn in a remarkable constellation of musicians: Sheila Bosco, Christina Carter (of Charalambides, who steps into a central role on this album), Geologist of Animal Collective, Ryan Jewell (known from the Ryley Walker Band, Mosses, and Rose City Band), Brent Cordero of Psychic Ills, and even Kate Wright of Movietone, among others. Each guest brings their own distinct sensibility to the table, and the cumulative effect is one of music that feels perpetually in motion.
What struck me most about this album is a warmth and humanity running through it that gives the music an emotional weight beyond its considerable creative achievements. Knowing that the title pays tribute to Alexander‘s late friend Donnon lends additional significance to it all. Themes of friendship, remembrance, loss and celebration seem woven into the fabric of the music, often emerging subtly rather than being explicitly stated.
one of contemporary underground music’s most adventurous and rewarding artists…
Let me go together, track by track, with you. The opener, From Loch Raven To Fells Point, immediately fills the album atmosphere with a halo of wisdom, both musical and spiritual. To my ears, it is one of the most accessible pieces here, balancing melodic structure with the band’s instinct for spontaneous exploration. The musicians interact with remarkable sensitivity, creating the impression of an ongoing conversation. The guitars weave together effortlessly, while the rhythm section provides a supple foundation that allows the music to breathe and expand naturally. Alexander’s voice sounds like whispering his innate love to nature.
Calliope Wailer ventures further into exploratory territory, drawing us into a smoky, late-night jazz club reverie. The addition of Tacuma Bradley’s saxophone and Drew Gardner’s vibraphone broadens the sonic palette, creating an atmosphere that feels both mysterious and strangely inviting. The album then pauses for reflection with Tightroping, the shortest composition on the record. Christina Carter‘s ethereal vocal contribution adds a dreamlike quality that lingers long after the track has ended. There is a delicate beauty here that provides an effective contrast to the more expansive improvisations elsewhere on the album.
Critical Masses is catchy and flowing. Its combination of loose psychedelic interplay and underlying emotional resonance seems to capture everything that makes Alexander‘s music so rewarding. Beneath its relaxed exterior lies a song rich with feeling and reflection. Knowing that he has linked the piece to themes of friendship, innocence and loss only deepens its impact. For me, it stands as one of the album’s emotional centres and perhaps one of the strongest pieces in The Heavy Lidders‘ catalogue to date.
The closing suite, Reservoir Drop > The Summer Song, brings the album to a deeply satisfying conclusion. A track that, although it brings me back to Chris Forsyth’s music, fully immerses you in the band’s world. Moments of gentle contemplation give way to passages of soaring instrumental interplay, while Christina Carter‘s reappearance lends an almost transcendent quality. It’s a truly overwhelming spiritual journey.
Many artists can improvise; far fewer can make improvisation feel meaningful and deeply human. Jeffrey Alexander + The Heavy Liddersachieve precisely that. The album’s five songs are full of emotions and contemplation. To me, Liquid Donnon feels like a particularly significant achievement. It is a record infused with generosity, curiosity and heartfelt remembrance – qualities that have long distinguished Alexander‘s work. For longtime followers, it offers further evidence that his creative well shows no sign of running dry. For newcomers, it provides an excellent introduction to one of contemporary underground music’s most adventurous and rewarding artists.
Label: Riot Season | Feeding Tube Records
Band Links: Official | Bandcamp | Spotify
Scribed by: Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Caccamo
