January 5, 2013

Song of the Week



(Mark Kozelek and Jimmy LaValle are teaming up)

Jimmy LaValle is The Album Leaf.  And his 2004 album, In A Safe Place (produced by none other than Jonsi), is one of The D Man's all-time favorite listens.  His ambient, thought-provoking electronica is simultaneously lush and wintry.  So imagine my surprise when I heard that he would be teaming up with blog favorite Sun Kil Moon for a full-length April release, Perils From The Sea.

The project began when Mark Kozelek, a fan and acquaintance of LaValle, asked Jimmy to co-write a song.  LaValle, a long time admirer of Kozelek's work, said yes, and the track "What Happened to my Brother" came together quickly.  Pleased with the results, the two agreed to record an entire album.  For the album LaValle reportedly chose a more minimalist approach to the music than The Album Leaf's large sonic soundscapes.  The lyrics and singing, of course, are provided by Kozelek.

It is somewhat disorienting to hear Kozelek, a master of the fuzzy open-tuned guitar jam and quiet nylon-string reverie, sing alongside the hypnotic synth sounds provided by LaValle.  But if their first collaboration is any indication of what is to come, the results will be chilling.

2 comments:

Andrew said...

Just downloaded "In a Safe Place" and am digging it. Always a bit embarrassing to have missed a gem like that -- 2004! -- but glad to know about him. Looking forward to his collaboration with Sun Kil Moon.

--Andrew

The D Man said...

Good to hear! In a Safe Place is easily one of the best electronic/ambient/instrumental albums I have ever enjoyed; I still inhabit its realms on a consistent basis. Needless to say, The D Man is stoked to explore the collaboration.