Though LaValle's main commitment is as a member of San Diego-based post-rock outfit Tristeza, he has found time to record as a solo artist, creating lush, meditative instrumental albums that fall somewhere between Erik Satie, John Fahey, Brian Eno, and the Sea & Cake. In a Safe Place, LaValle's third full-length release and his debut for SubPop, builds on the spare, trance-like qualities of his first two albums, fleshing out the repetitive patterns and delicate textures with the help of digital shading and instrumental support from members of Icelandic rock group Sigur Ros. The wispy, airy strains of the opener, "Window," put one in mind of Eno's AMBIENT 1: MUSIC FOR AIRPORTS, luring the listener into a bright netherworld. A soothing digital pulse backs a gentle, chiming guitar pattern in "On Your Way," while the hypnotic "Over the Pond" features a simple piano refrain repeated, then detailed with strings and Sigur Ros's accompaniment. The effect is a powerful one, giving dimension and contour to LaValle's already developed musical vision and, ultimately, making In a Safe Place the artist's strongest statement to date.(RS1)(RS2)
Thursday 1 February 2007
The Album Leaf - In a Safe Place
The Album Leaf is the recording moniker of guitarist Jimmy LaValle.
Though LaValle's main commitment is as a member of San Diego-based post-rock outfit Tristeza, he has found time to record as a solo artist, creating lush, meditative instrumental albums that fall somewhere between Erik Satie, John Fahey, Brian Eno, and the Sea & Cake. In a Safe Place, LaValle's third full-length release and his debut for SubPop, builds on the spare, trance-like qualities of his first two albums, fleshing out the repetitive patterns and delicate textures with the help of digital shading and instrumental support from members of Icelandic rock group Sigur Ros. The wispy, airy strains of the opener, "Window," put one in mind of Eno's AMBIENT 1: MUSIC FOR AIRPORTS, luring the listener into a bright netherworld. A soothing digital pulse backs a gentle, chiming guitar pattern in "On Your Way," while the hypnotic "Over the Pond" features a simple piano refrain repeated, then detailed with strings and Sigur Ros's accompaniment. The effect is a powerful one, giving dimension and contour to LaValle's already developed musical vision and, ultimately, making In a Safe Place the artist's strongest statement to date.(RS1)(RS2)
Though LaValle's main commitment is as a member of San Diego-based post-rock outfit Tristeza, he has found time to record as a solo artist, creating lush, meditative instrumental albums that fall somewhere between Erik Satie, John Fahey, Brian Eno, and the Sea & Cake. In a Safe Place, LaValle's third full-length release and his debut for SubPop, builds on the spare, trance-like qualities of his first two albums, fleshing out the repetitive patterns and delicate textures with the help of digital shading and instrumental support from members of Icelandic rock group Sigur Ros. The wispy, airy strains of the opener, "Window," put one in mind of Eno's AMBIENT 1: MUSIC FOR AIRPORTS, luring the listener into a bright netherworld. A soothing digital pulse backs a gentle, chiming guitar pattern in "On Your Way," while the hypnotic "Over the Pond" features a simple piano refrain repeated, then detailed with strings and Sigur Ros's accompaniment. The effect is a powerful one, giving dimension and contour to LaValle's already developed musical vision and, ultimately, making In a Safe Place the artist's strongest statement to date.(RS1)(RS2)
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