The Album Leaf + Interview

Posted by Nikki Benson on February 8th, 2010 at 11:55 AM

/ 1 Comment

To See Rating 8/10
Just Curious Rating 8/10

Band Members
Jimmy LaValle
Matt Resovich
Drew Andrews
Gram LeBron
Tim Reece
Andrew Pates

The Album Leaf graced Neumos on February 6, 2010, and it was no ordinary show. Not an official album release show, but with A Chorus of Storytellers coming out only four days prior, Seattleites were in the mode of celebrating the long awaited record from one of our own native labels’ artists. Not only did the audience get to celebrate A Chorus of Storytellers with The Album Leaf in their full glory, there was also the added bonus of the Anomie Belle String Quartet–and what a beautiful, organic gift.

Before the music started, the room was dark and thick with anticipation. The Album Leaf always accents their sets with a grand backdrop to deepen their cinematic effect. As the soft inclines of “Perro” began, the room expanded with the reflected flecks of moving light giving a subtle, ominous tone to the evening. The mix of programed sounds, keys, sound bites, textures, and the visual show had the audience acutely engaged. Continuing with “Blank Pages,” the room was gradually lifted with strings to relaxation and elegant euphoria. The Album Leaf’s presentation of ambient electronica was well received.

As the set progressed, a highlight was “Falling from the Sun.” This song was one of the riskier ones out of the mind of Jimmy LaValle. Being such an important figure in the realm of ambient electronic music, avid fans of The Album Leaf have firm opinions about lyrics and standard structures being introduced into the The Album Leaf’s vernacular. Jimmy LaValle and his merry men performed “Falling from the Sun” with earnest, open hearts, and the audience ate it up. It was a beautiful interchange.

After “Falling from the Sun” completed, LaValle addressed the audience saying, “Those were the first five songs off of A Chorus of Story Tellers that just came out on Monday.” The audience cheered. Accepting the adulation, LaValle said “And this song is … old.” with a giggle in his voice. With the first notes of “2214,” the audience went wild. More cheering ensued when the set continued with “Outer Banks” and “Shine.” “Shine” was another set highlight; the programed electronics were beautifully married with smashing cymbals from the snare drum set. Smash, smash, smash, the cymbals went, and the room filled with celestial sounds. Jimmy LaValle’s keys were bright, and the string quartet beamed.

The Album Leaf threw in a few more songs off of A Chorus of Story Tellers mixed in with some old goodies, and the energy of the room never wavered. The last time I saw The Album Leaf, it was disheartening to see so many people talking throughout the set. That was not the case on February 6, 2010. Looking around the room, I didn’t notice a single person who wasn’t enveloped in the set. It was a beautiful night from start to finish.

Please enjoy “There is Wind,” and an interview I did with Jimmy LaValle before the set.