The Album Leaf is the creation of Jimmy LaValle (native San Diego-an formerly of Tristeza, punkers The Locust, and epic-emo’s, Black Heart Procession), to create musical “scenes of still melancholy, postcards in slow motion” (in other words, not exactly party music).
The Seal Beach EP was originally released in Spain, and this reissue is remastered with bonus tracks (as everything should be) recorded live from their tour with Sigur Ros of that year.
On this, Lavalle combines his Brian Eno-esque soundscapes behind slow motion guitar and keyboard minimalistics with a more beat-intensive Fourtet-ish rhythmic underpinning than previously explored on tracks like MALMO and BRENIVIN. Things open up a bit more on the live tracks, mainly due to the live drums, but the often-deceptively simple harmonic basis remain present in both.
The Album Leaf isn’t a whole lot removed from the work of his other most famous affiliation, Tristeza, though this EP shows the influence of a collaboration heretofore unknown to the former-Iceland, which has become muse and recording location of LaValle and Co. of late.
Though not dissimilar to Sigur Ros’ instrumental sound, The Seal Beach EP is far more sparse than that of the native Icelanders, and achieves it’s mood without epic build or cinematic sweep. This makes for an instantly established, almost hypnotic vibe, though the lack of dynamic change may leave some who prefer grandeur over ambience finding it a little too ethereal for it’s own good. Others who may perceive such sonic dramatics as a bit on the indulgent side would likely warm to the unpretentious nature of Seal Beach and The Album Leaf in general.
More edgy than new-age, less-edgy than many other things, as a soundtrack for introspection, the Seal Beach EP is a perfect companion. |