I’ve been listening to Into The Blue Again by The Album Leaf a lot. My infatuation with the album came when I first held it in my hands with its brilliant packaging; it makes you feel just a bit guilty opening the damn thing. Needless to say I ended up opening one of my favorite records this year. I’ve played this album non-stop. I was going to write a review of the disc a few weeks ago, but I felt there was more to be heard and enjoyed and just wanted to spend a little, or in actuality, a lot more time with the album.
Being completely unfamiliar with Jimmy LaValle outside of his work with Sigur Ros the name The Album Leaf didn’t make any connections, I didn’t know (or pay attention) to the fact that his previous release, In A Safe Place garnered him and his songs a lot of media attention from their use in TV shows. Since my starting point was the recently released Into The Blue Again I have a feeling that is the album that will always remain my favorite.
This album, with its hushed melodies and sparse vocals is a perfect “winter record.” I’m not really sure if I have a concrete definition of that, but I do have certain albums that get a lot more play on my iPod when the cold weather begins bearing down in Wisconsin – this will be one of those records. And I should clarify “spare vocals” it’s not like they are lackluster or uninteresting, in fact, they are the opposite. They come into the album in perfect time and exit leaving you with plenty of instrumentals to keep you satisfied. This is important for me, because I tend to grow tired of albums that are mostly instrumental, but this album doesn’t make my attention stray.
The Album Leaf – Always For You [mp3]
The Album Leaf Sub Pop Page
The Album Leaf on Myspace
Hey just wanted to let you know that there is a new blog address for me
http://beethsnewblog.blogspot.com/
update your link!
hi,
thanks for posting this. you definitely shoud check out “Tristeza”, the band that LaValle was in for a while. he left after “dream signals in full circles” (tigerstyle 2000), which is one of my favorite records of all time.
best wishes from england, where it’s time for winter music all year.
Carl
Totally agree with you about “Into the Blue Again.” Even in my ipod-shuffle state of mind, I find myself listening to the whole album, a rarity for me these days.