Alice Di Micele - Reverse the Flow (2025) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

There are only nine songs, but with a total running time of around 38 minutes, and six tracks running at more than 4 minutes the songs are allowed to breathe and stretch, her voice to swoop, soar or rumble, and her (sometimes fierce) lyrics to resonate, packed full of very direct couplets, but with no strung-out solos. Nature plays a big part in the framing of the songs, whether it be the earth, the mountains, the sky or the sea, and they reappear throughout. The album kicks off with the medium slow blues ‘I wanna love’, an exhortation to love oneself, notwithstanding the ideals that are placed on women to look good, be the right shape, have the smoothest skin or the silkiest of hair: “ I was taught from the time I was a little girl / This body would never be good enough, good enough, no / Now I’ve spent enough time here in this world to know / This body’s more than good enough Oh”. This anthem has some nice Hammond from Jenny Conlee-Drizos and a powerful fuzzy electric guitar solo from Andy Casad, a member of her backing band, the appropriately named Force of Nature, and an introduction to the extraordinary power of her voice. The second track, ‘One Little Word’ is a nice tune with a great riff that explores the challenges of being lesbian in a world (at least in the US) that seems to be turning against the love that once dared not speak its name.

There is another superb guitar riff on the rather lovely ‘Falling through the Cracks‘, an apt title that perfectly sums up the problems of being homeless and having mental health issues. Di Micele’s own backing vocals are quite stunning, with the help of producer Bret Levick, and another stinging guitar solo seduces the listener towards the end of the track. ‘The Mystery‘, a love song that uses nature to reinforce the message, has a delicate acoustic guitar and piano backing with a wonderful string arrangement: “Take me back to the heart of the matter / Take me down where our souls long to be / I will dive deep into you lover / I will swim in the mystery / I will swim in the mystery”.

Four songs in before she goes upbeat, with a celebration of spring in her home state of Oregon on ‘Springtime (Here we go)’ – it’s nature again that takes centre stage lyrically, musically it is a sparkling, tinkly piano accompaniment and solo that dominates, giving the track a jazzy feel. Di Micele’s message may come over a little simplistic if not idealistic but there is no doubting the sincerity of her feelings, as she berates warmongers on the slow, bass-driven ‘Oh Humanity‘ with a plea to listen to peace-loving prophets or indeed nature instead, and a little dig at populist world leaders: “Will we keep fighting over what was never ours? / The earth cannot be bought and sold / It’s just illusion that men can hold power / True power is not for men to hold”

‘Bonafide’ is how she describes the love that supports her in what she calls ‘these troubled times’ – it’s slow, lilting, and not dissimilar to a 60s/70s soul number, with a soulful guitar break and an outstanding vocal performance. ‘The Ghost of Alice‘, on the other hand, is a revenge murder ballad that traces the sexual and physical abuse, and racism, that led to a revenge where Alice “took down Freddy with his own kitchen knife”. Guest Darol Anger delivers some brilliantly atmospheric violin.

And finally di Micele delivers the title track, the bedrock of the album, an upbeat message that assures us that “we are all still here on this sacred ground”, where“your heart still flows”, that, despite everything that is going on, things will get better: “And lately it feels like it’s all gone to hell / Like some evil Lord’s got the world under his spell / But I see kindness in so many small ways / And if we work hard for justice, I believe we will reach it some day“. “Still here on the sacred ground” is repeated over and over as if to press home the point – great call and reasponse background vocals as before.

The album is beautifully played and produced. As well as the aforementioned musicians, Force of Nature’s rhythm section of Nick Kirby (drums ) and Rob Kohler (bass ) provide a solid foundation, and the other guests include the immensely talented Skip Edwards on organ and piano, Crystal Reeves (violin) and Michal Palzewicz (cello) make an ethereal string section. But it is di Micele’s voice (and some fine acoustic guitar) that dominates proceedings. It’s a fine album, well worth exploring and spending time to commiserate with or derive comfort from her world view and its challenges that she hopes we will overcome.

Tracklist:
01. I Wanna Love (5:50)
02. One Little Word (3:04)
03. Falling Through the Cracks (3:40)
04. The Mystery (4:03)
05. Springtime (Here We Go) (2:58)
06. Oh Humanity (5:15)
07. Bonafide (4:49)
08. The Ghost of Alice (4:43)
09. Reverse the Flow (4:30)


Thanks to the Original customer!