The Album Leaf

Add Date: August 30

Artist: The Album Leaf

Album: Between Waves
 
Label: Relapse Records
 
Genre: Ambient electronica
 
Comments: From the metal label that brought you the absolute brutality of Toxic Holocaust, Necrophagist, and Spawn of Possession... comes a downtempo, ambient electronic act called The Album Leaf. Conceived as a solo project by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jimmy LaValle in 1999, The Album Leaf has since become a fully formed live band that draws upon everything from German psych bands to traditional mariachi and Brian Eno as influences.

Having last released A Chorus of Storytellers in 2010 on Sub Pop, The Album Leaf returns with Between Waves, a collection of eight tracks (which were selected from 30 that the group had written) that undulate "from swirling ambient pieces to supple synth-pop ballads," displaying "multifaceted, meticulous sound designs, a keen ear for balancing disparate influences, and the strongest senses of dynamics, rhythm, and composition" the group has displayed to date. While a number of the tracks are instrumental pieces, LaValle's voice shines through on "New Soul" and "Never Far", providing another dimension to an already solid record.
 
Recommended Tracks: 3, 4, 7, 8
 
DNP: none