| "In The Afternoon" is an elegant venture through a pastoral blossoming with sonic textures, melodic tenderness and emotional depth. Subsequent to the success of their first full-length, "Music of a Sinking Occasion", l'altra are furthering their sonic experimentation with confidence, being expansive in both their song-writing and arrangements, as well as how they play their instruments; implementing modern technologies and electronic song-writing as well as upright bass. l'altra have done their homework, passed the first spate of exams, allowing "In The Afternoon" to feel like an artistic exhale, where it's finally time to reap the rewards of the effort, while breathing some changing energy into the world of indie rock. The exhalation is also personal, as this will be the final record with Ken Dyber (Aesthetics owner) as a member, who will be moving this autumn. "In the afternoon"personifies what the best guitar bands (the Mogwai's, Radiohead's, Sea & Cake..) hope to accomplish; a synergy of new ideas with musical craft and above all, emotion."In the Afternoon" is a gripping record for its ability to blend conceptual and emotive elements while being confident enough to not be in a hurry. Each song is an individual episode of choreographed glimpses, some cinematic, others like looking out of a moving car, feeling the velocity in your gut, or just browsing through a box of old pictures. Each song conveys an emotional trajectory. Building on the ensemble strength of "music of a sinking occasion", l'altra continue to chisel into their lyrical atmospheres with elevated arrangement and melody. For this recording, l'altra have once again recruited cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm (Flying Luttenbachers, many solo jazz projects), Robert Cruz on accordion (Sinister Luck Ensemble), while also adding Charles Kim on pedal steel (Pinetop Seven, Boxhead Ensemble), Todd Matei on guitar (Joan of Arc), Joe Grimm on trumpet (33.3) along with other musicians to help facilitate the record's lush sound. "In the afternoon" was recorded by Jeremy Lemos at Acme Studio in Chicago, and by l'altra at Crooked House.
Mournful country rock....beautifully gentle, all shimmering elecric piano, warm brass and minimal drumming...Alternative Press (7/02, p.76) - 7 out of 10 - ...Hauntingly emotive...Magnet (6-7/02, p.94) - ...Deliberately delayed, lush and nightmarish, every melody L'Altra encounters seems ripe for explosion and improvisation...CMJ (5/27/02, p.11) - ...A wonderfully moody soundtrack to any kind of day.
Q (05/01/2002)
...A wonderfully moody soundtrack to any kind of day.
CMJ (05/27/2002)
...Deliberately delayed, lush and nightmarish, every melody L'Altra encounters seems ripe for explosion and improvisation...
Magnet (06/01/2002) |