Search - Album Leaf :: A Chorus of Storytellers

Long overdue, but welcome, return of the Album Leaf

Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 02/07/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Album Leaf, the moniker under which one-man band Jimmy LaValle operates, created a nice indie-buzz with its second album, 2001's "One Day I'll Be On Time", an album I still cherish to this day. The band's output since then has been skimpy. There was an equally excellent 2004 album "In a Safe Place", and an ok album in 2006 "Into the Blue Again". Now finally comes the band's fifth album, which actually was recorded not just by LaValle solo, but by his entire touring band.



"A Chorus of Storytellers" (11 tracks; 50 min.) starts off with the intimate "Perro", which is followed by a mesmorizing "Blank Pages". I'm not a big fan of the band's non-instrumental songs (meaning with lead vocals), but "There Is A Wind" is not bad at all. Track 6, the middle track of the album, "Stand Still" is one of my favorites on here, starting off with loud drums, over which Jimmy LaValle's keyboards come in, to then go into a full band mode, just great. A coupe of great, dreamy tracks follow ("Summer Fog", "Until The Last"). "We Are" is the second track to feature vocals. The album finishes with "Tied Knots", a seminal, dreamy Album Leaf track, and what a great way to close this album out. In all, this album is an excellent album, for me the best since "One Day I'll Be On Time". Welcome back, guys!



I've seen the Album Leaf in concert only once, in 2001, in support of the "One Day" album (opening for Sigur Ros, no less) and what a fabulous concert that was (has it really been that long ago?). Can't wait to see these guys again live. If you wonder where you can hear this album, check out WOXY (BAM! The Future of Rock and Roll), the internet-only station that brings the best indie-music in the country. Meanwhile, "A Chorus of Storytellers" is highly recommended."

Background Music??

Jeffrey Lasalle | Ft. Myers , FL USA | 02/18/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"You know, i happen to be a fan of this particular genre of music. And one thing i take exception to, is when simpleton's refer to this variety of music as "background music", which is such a trivial and lazy attempt to categorize The Album Leaf, or anything comparable.



Most mainstream pop acts are so desperate and hungry for attention, that they abandon any sembalance of modesty or subtlety, and that really refelcts in their music adversely in my opinion. Where as The Album Leaf exudes a quiet dignity, and a restrained artistic beauty. Their music is often thoughtful and meditative, a quality often absent from more commercial offering's. They don't feel the need to wave their hands in the air, and shout "look at me!!" (figuratively speaking)



This album may not be their best, and at times it does come across as overly familiar. However, it did manage to sustain my interest all the way through. Even their least effective album (in a safe place) manages to achieve a level of quality that often goes unmatched within the industry.



If you are a fan of The Album Leaf, then there is no reason why "A Chorus of Storytellers" shouldn't be in your collection."