2006, Sub Pop
Jimmy LaVelle's solo project, The Album Leaf, has done it again: Into the Blue Again is an intensely crafted work of electronically-driven post-rock that not only matches up well to his previous releases, but stands on its own as an album of well-written, engaging songs. While remaining generally true to past releases, this album makes varied stylistic explorations that accentuate the dreamy atmosphere The Album Leaf is known for.
Outstanding tracks, like "Always For You," an emotionally-oriented piece, and "Writings on the Wall" showcase LaVelle's ability to write catchy, melodic songs, a quality often overlooked in -- and certainly not often explored by artists of a post-rock persuasion. As a project, The Album Leaf has a certain melodic persuasion; as such, Into the Blue Again is easy -- a real joy, even -- to listen to.
LaVelle has proved himself a master of a mostly-electronic variant of post-rock once again with Into the Blue Again, and with good reason. His experience with various forms of music (through time with Tristeza, The Locust, and The Black Heart Procession) has allowed him a strong grasp of sonic texture, and it's made quite evident with his latest release as The Album Leaf.