The Album Leaf
Between Waves
(Relapse Records)
To call me a tough sell on predominantly instrumental music would be an understatement. I’d classify about .5% of instrumental bands as necessary for a fulfilling life, and the remainder great soundtracks to vacuuming and similar tasks that are better suited for background noise.
Since the late ’90s, Jimmy LaValle (formerly of Swing Kids and Locust) has fit firmly in that .5%, utilizing synth, electronica, guitars and Rhodes pianos with remarkable results. Here, LaValle and company produce a group effort, full of cinematic moodiness, late night trip-hop tones, and calm melodies mixed with space-age sleekness. While soothing guitars and calm singing do make appearances here, most of this is vocal-less synth-pop with experimental and ambient influences that few could replicate. Whether minimal or intricate and often Brian Eno influenced, The Album Leaf continue to impress almost two decades later.
