The Album Leaf
2007
Self-released
It features 6 interesting tunes that are somewhat of a crosscut of LaValle's creative ambient arrangements. Fear of Flying, the second track on the record, is one that struck a chord with me especially as it slowly gets under your skin. There's a real tension build up and it feels exciting. Something I was missing on the previous release. Drawing Mountains sounds completely different as it is somehow more introvert but there's a certain feeling of wanting to know more that draws out the strength of this track.
Kevlar is a bit of a weird, Kraftwerk-inspired, trippy tune that somehow works better the more you listen to it. It's a mesh and it's messy but that all serves a purpose. The gorgeously composed San Simeon closes the EP in a tamer fashion drenched in melancholy.
Compared to "Into The Blue Again", The Album Leaf redeems itself in my eyes. While the music isn't necessarily instantly appealing, I always seem to find my way back to it, proving that the music surely does have lasting power.