Hipster Humpday 3: The Album Leaf

     I don't know where you people are right now, but its early here, barely nine in the morning, I'm barely awake enough to slide over to the kettle and make some coffee. Comparative addiction aside I thought today would be a good time to let you guys in on a little secret, The Album Leaf.

     About a week or so ago a good friend of mine (and fellow publisher) linked a song on my wall, Window, it took me a long time to listen to it but when I did, it transformed me. For the last week or so I've been so thoughtful you'd think I was depressed, I mean I spent yesterday afternoon sitting in the snow by a frozen lake writing poetry, its just that kind of music that can make you slow down, take a look at your life, appreciate the little things.

      Personal reaction aside The Album Leaf was originally the solo project of Jimmy LaValle, formed in 1998 in San Diego, and truthfully I'm having a hard time deciding which label to plaster all over his art. I was thinking ambient, but then he throws in acoustic guitar; so acoustic or indie, but then he has songs completely made with synthesizers and piano; so electronic, but then spacey drum patterns and electric guitar kicked in and post rock was the only possible label. So for now its indieacousticpostrockica, deal?

     Newest album first, Into The Blue Again, is an absolute soundscape, released in 2006 weighing in at ten songs its not necessarily a heavyweight, until you take the time to listen to it. It takes a little bit of time, to look past the obvious sadness and melancholy of the violins and piano to the blazing hope of the acoustic guitar and the steady assurances of the percussion, warning don't listen to this if you have empathetic reactions to music and have anything to do today. 2004's In A Safe Place, is refreshingly similar although with more vocals, this is where the indie/acoustic shows through in comparison to ITBA's post rock/ambient, I recommend having both albums in a playlist starting with 2006 and working back in a steady stream of consciousness and emotion.

     Well thats two albums, all I feel safe giving you guys, I cannot stress this more, support the artist in any way you can even if its by using his website to donate to Japan relief or buying his albums, if you enjoy it please buy it. All of his albums are out there on the internet if you feel so inclined and please take a second to like our Facebook page here.