the album leaf / albums

540,849 plays
93 SHARES
134 FAVS
46 fans

- Into The Blue Again
- - 154,419 plays
  - 38 favs
  - 21 shares
The Album Leaf
Released 2006

[Untitled Track] [CD-ROM Track]
00:00
5 plays

Always For You
05:07
23,651 plays

Writings On The Wall
04:55
17,228 plays

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songs

- 1
- The Light
- 04:29
- 16,723 plays

- 2
- Always For You
- 05:07
- 23,651 plays

- 3
- Shine
- 05:53
- 15,101 plays

- 4
- Writings On The Wall
- 04:55
- 17,228 plays

- 5
- Red Eye
- 07:02
- 16,899 plays

- 6
- See In You
- 04:37
- 13,085 plays

- 7
- Into The Sea
- 04:32
- 13,715 plays

- 8
- Wherever I Go
- 04:38
- 12,018 plays

- 9
- Wishful Thinking
- 05:32
- 11,628 plays

- 10
- Broken Arrow
- 05:50
- 12,700 plays

- 11
- [Untitled Track] [CD-ROM Track]
- 00:00
- 5 plays

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album review

From the beginning, Jimmy LaValle's Album Leaf project was one of the calmest acts in indie rock. Into the Blue Again proves, as its 2004 predecessor did as well, that the Album Leaf is also becoming one of the tamest acts in indie rock. LaValle is a musical craftsman, and his productions are thoughtful, economical and warm (most of the record was performed by him alone). Like Sigur R=s, whose studio and string section he's used in the past, LaValle understands the power of muted arrangements, of ringing chords, and of drawing out those chords to exactly the right length before repeating them or moving on. These elements could have easily resulted in a great record, but Into the Blue Again isn't great, or even very good. While ambient music with relatively straight-ahead percussion has been a mainstay of indie music from Eno to Black Dog to Sigur R=s themselves, those who have excelled with it have had something interesting to focus on, such as Eno's melodic sense, Black Dog's otherworldly effects, or Sigur R=s' unorthodox instrumentation and use of building dynamics. LaValle's take on ambient music isn't particularly diverting; his melodies are broad and familiar, his drum programming is bland and bar-band-formulaic (that applies also to his compatriot here, Telefon Tel Aviv's Joshua Eustis), and his vocals are depressive and resigned. Most of Into the Blue Again is instrumental, and it serves well as background music -- never sticking out, floating by the listener -- but unlike his earlier recordings, there's little here that rewards close listening. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide