Alice Practice

Crystal Castles' song 'Alice Practice' is a raw and haunting piece that delves into themes of pain, decay, and existential despair. The lyrics, delivered with an almost visceral intensity, paint a bleak picture of a world where scars are a testament to survival, and the remnants of humanity are spent and exhausted. The opening lines, 'Scars will heal soon / The dregs in us spent the earth down,' suggest a sense of inevitable healing but also a depletion of resources and spirit, hinting at a broader commentary on environmental and emotional degradation.

The reference to 'Alice' can be seen as a metaphor for innocence lost or a descent into madness, reminiscent of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland but twisted into a darker narrative. The line 'Better than drowning in a burlap sack / I live, I, Alice, I die' juxtaposes the struggle for life with the inevitability of death, encapsulating a sense of futility and resignation. The imagery of 'children shouldn't play with dead things' and 'foaming crows / Tear at their wings' evokes a macabre scene, where innocence is corrupted, and nature itself is in turmoil.

The recurring motif of 'sad eyes' throughout the song serves as a powerful symbol of sorrow and hopelessness. Descriptions like 'Sad eyes cry crimson blood' and 'Sad eyes sad eyes like sharpened daggers' convey a deep emotional pain that is both internal and external. The final lines, 'Drop it it's dead / Wheels won't turn they won't turn the birdy's head,' reinforce the theme of stagnation and the end of life or movement, leaving the listener with a sense of eerie finality. Crystal Castles' 'Alice Practice' is a chilling exploration of despair, decay, and the haunting echoes of a world in decline.