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The Album Leaf, "One Day I'll be On Time"
It's rather difficult to believe Jimmy LaValle of the popular hardcoreoutfits Swing Kids, The Locust and GoGoGo Airheart is the same Jimmy ofTristeza or the elegant and introspective project, The Album Leaf. Inany case, this follow-up to the successful 'An Orchestrated Rise toFall' further focuses the stylistic intentions of its predecessor. 'OneDay I'll Be On Time' captures the haunting yet simple instrumentalbeauty found in much of the work of Brian Eno on 'Another Green World'or 'Before and After Science' (the songs "Wet the Day" and "The Sailor"being distinctively Eno-esque, particularly as regards LaValle'skeyboard work). From sparse, hypnotic electric piano melodies todelicate (but never flowery), ambient guitar pieces like "Storyboard"(not to mention those songs which combine the best of both theseworlds, such as "The MP"), the album is replete with a sincerity thatis so lacking in many otherwise talented artists' work. However,although it is sparse, this is not to say it lacks depth. LaValle'ssongwriting seems crafted with the utmost care. He plays nearly all thevast array of instruments, as well as doing the bulk of the recordinghimself. It is likely that these elements lend 'One Day' its intimacy.In a match that is hardly surprising, The Album Leaf (which featuredLaValle with assistance from fellow members of Tristeza) has justcompleted a recent tour opening for like-minded moody songsters SigurRÑs.
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