tisdag 16 Mar 2010, 20:06

Very much beloved Jimmy LaValle is back with his magic stick in hand. That magic he is generously spreading through The Album Leaf is entitled A Chorus of Storytellers this time. Such poetry! Been almost 4 years since Into The Blue Again has turned us upside down. Imagine the thirst we Album Leafers have towards new stuff. The dried stillness due to lack of LaValle in our lives! 4 years, I mean! (However a new Tristeza release last year helped me to whine less but still The Album Leaf is no Tristeza… Right?)

Recorded by Ryan Hadlock in Seattle and mixed by Birgir Jón Birgisson of Sigur Rós in Reykjavik (Oh yes!); new album is released on 2nd February through Sub Pop family again. I love my Sub Pop more each day.

First impressions; I am fascinated. As usual. There Is A Wind, We Are, Falling From the Sun and Stand Still are promising to become new Album Leaf classics; recalling On Your Way, Over the Pond, Eastern Glow…etc.

The thing about this new album is that for the first time the whole live band have performed the songs together instead of LaValle playing them as he did for earlier releases before. LaValle is becoming more of an orchestra now sharing his spot behind the mixing desks and all that stuff. Bringing together the chorus of his precious touring team: Matthew Resovich, Drew Andrews, Luis Hermosillo…
Perro’s down to earth opening of the record is like giving a soft massage to one’s soul. Getting followed with bagpipe like sounding - cinematographic Blank Pages and more strings and horns attached soul breakers down the line.

I guess Within Dreams, Summer Fog and Until the Last are few songs that Jón Birgisson affect is felt most. The strings, soothing catastrophe getting you déjà vu the calmest moments you have cherished back from Takk days.

Most powerful and say charts-friendly tune Almost There and Thule-esque Tied Knots wrapping up this 11 piece of ethereal balance. Satisfaction. And beyond.

Downtempo, piano, violin, sheltering vocals (some from The Black Heart Procession’s Pall Jenkins)… Same old beauty in the haunting ambiance, LaValle and co. are digging deep that sleeping desolation in mankind.

-Champers