The Album Leaf - In a Safe Place
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Free Music Notes for In a Safe Place
Free Music Review: Serene but certainly not tedious
Hit: 5 Stars
Something of a chance discovery, this is an absolutely gorgeous record, which reminds me why you shouldn't always trust reviewers. According to what I first encountered about `In A Safe Place' by The Album Leaf, the solo project of Jimmy LaValle, this was supposedly a rather mediocre and uninteresting record. What did intrigue me however was that it had been recorded in Iceland with members of Sigur Ros and The Black Heart Procession (with whom he also plays), and that it was an exercise in ambient, classically-infused post-rock featuring string arrangements and subtle electronic effects (by no means disappointing after his work with Tristeza as some have claimed). Well, these are the type of sounds which have been engaging me over the past few years, so I thought it worth at least a trial, test listen. And that sold it to me.
There was something else though that also made me curious. I know times have changed, but hearing such delicate, intricately produced sounds as these on a label that came to define the Seattle-based, lo-fi, grungey garage rock revival of the late 80s/early 90s came as a bit of a shock. After all, I was there when Mudhoney, Soundgarden and Nirvana were the in-thing, even seeing Nirvana perform in London with Godflesh and L7 before they skyrocketed to major-label, world-dominating fame. Sub Pop has clearly changed, not letting its legendary past constrain its future, and has gone onto nurture new and different sounds, including the wonders of `In A Safe Place'.
At times, that signature Scandinavian sound is evident- cheerfully melancholic music that evokes a bleak arctic world from which people shelter in warm and comforting enclaves. Echoes of Sigur Ros can definitely be heard making a worthy contribution, but under LaValle's supervision something rather more accessible emerges- it's more recognisably `human' and not nearly so bizarre and other-worldly as Sigur Ros can be (no offence intended). And while LaValle utilises an updated, more orchestrated version of the early 70s electronic ambient music of Cluster and Eno, it is almost always propelled by a gently skittering programmed percussive base. And this in turn is further enriched by melodies of strings, bells, Rhodes piano and strategically understated vocals (sometimes of the intelligible variety, sometimes of that soothing and beguiling style so typical of Sigur Ros). All in all, this makes for an enthralling album, which for me, has stood the test of other music clamouring for my attention. When I need something to instil a mellow state of contemplation, this is one of my favoured choices. Beautiful.
Free Music Review: Drifting and dreaming
Hit: 4 Stars
Upon first listen (knowing nothing of the band or album), I simply thought, "Well, the Album Leaf sure does love Sigur Ros." So it was actually both surprising and inevitable when I found out about the actual connection (I guess that in turn Sigur Ros must love Album Leaf). Therefore, "In a Safe Place" is incapable of blowing minds or demanding abject attention, but it sure does make for some fine background music. Drifting and dreaming is best left to others, but there's more than enough notable sections of this long player to take notice now and then.
The album hinges on the best bits of its ambient rotation, notably the melodic roll of "Thule," the stretched noisy hums of "Over the Pond," and the repeating but ever-changing line on "The Outer Banks." Centerpiece, "On Your Way" (one of the only songs with words), sounds like the moody pop arrangements of Incubus meets Doves. Only the back end, which is more subdued than even background music has any right to be, is lacking (though "Eastern Glow," even as it borrows from the superior "Outer Banks," is a keeper). So if Sigur Ros is your thing, you'll have no problem getting lost in the tenderly harmonious sea crafted by the Album Leaf.
Best cuts: "Over the Pond," "On Your Way," "The Outer Banks," "Thule," "Eastern Glow," "Another Day"
Free Music Review: Title of the album says it all, musically
Hit: 3 Stars
For the Tristeza guitarist's third solo album Jimmy LaValle inches his way towards a more radio friendly, vocals-included album, leaving only a partial print of the gentle, introspective melancholia he had become known for. The collaborations with Sigur Ros only truly work once, and many of the songs built around lyrics feel uninspired, but IASP still includes just enough glitch-based beauty to find a safe place into a fan's collection. Free Music Review: Uninspired
Hit: 1 Stars
The best word I can use to describe this album is boring. I like this kind of music, but the way its done on this album is so dull. The beats are really old and tired and there is nothing new here. I felt embarassed for the artist at times.Free Music Review: Not Entirely Sure I Want to Be This Safe
Hit: 4 Stars
The music on In A Safe Place is beautiful, but unlike the best of Sigur Ros -- the most obvious parallel -- there is no challenge here, nothing to shake you or stir you. That's fine, I guess, but take a cut like The Outer Banks. The real Outer Banks are not only beautiful and seducing, but also angry, terrifying and a graveyard for ships. It would have been nice to see some of that part of the place worked into the music.
In a Safe Place probably works best if you have cuts from it in a shuffle playlist to take in small doses, interspersed with other types of music. Fifty-one solid minutes of ambience, though I enjoyed every cut, collectively was a bit much for me.
On the other hand, if I were sitting in the dentist's chair awaiting a root canal, Safe Place would be just the thing...