Album Leaf, The: Between Waves

The Album Leaf's Jimmy LaValle, a twenty-year veteran of the music industry, is now bringing his varied talents to Relapse Records, a label best known for extreme metal bands. LaValle's music obviously isn't heavy metal, but plenty of metal fans like electronic / rock music played in this style. For me, synthesized music like this always takes me back to John Carpenter's film scores and the way they help create the horror audiences see on the screen. I also think of Relapse label mates Survive and the way their music played a key role in establishing the overall mood of popular Netflix series Stranger Things.

To be sure, this isn't extreme metal music, but it will certainly appeal to fans of electronic music. Some listeners may even discover The Album Leaf to be a band worth pursuing. For much of its career, The Album Leaf has been mostly a solo project for LaValle. With this album, however, he worked with a band and even drew on each member for input on the way the album came together. The results are strong, but some listeners may find the album a little too mellow at first. For some, this style of music belongs in the background. I suggest giving it a chance. Music like this is often quite intricate and plays with dynamics, rhythm, and melody in ways that are engaging and entertaining. I especially liked the drum patters on this, including some of the trip-hop beats that appear from time to time. This is very engaging music. For some listeners, LaValle's occasional singing may come as a surprise. His voice is understated and fits the overall theme and purpose of the music.

On the whole, the album succeeds. Check out "Glimmering Lights" and "Lost in the Fog."

Track Listing:
1. False Dawn
2. Glimmering Lights
3. New Soul
4. Back to the Start
5. Wandering Still
6. Never Far
7. Lost in the Fog
8. Between Waves

Added: November 18th 2016
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1336
Language: english

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