Many US fans of SOTL had not heard this album when their 2-CD epic, The Tired Sounds of...was put out on Kranky, so the label released this 2000 full-length onthese shores in time for the band's East Coast tour last fall.Originally released on the Belgian Sub Rosa label, Avec Laudenum was a shift in the science that is SOTL, as they tried more structure on their long, ambient compositions. After hearing Tired Soundsand listening to this release, the gap between their earlier works andthe splendor of that set is filled in quite nicely. Brian McBride andAdam Wiltzie recorded Avec Laudenum by mail, but you couldn'ttell by what you hear. It's just as warm, dense, and compelling astheir earlier works, but there's more of a desire to make everythingmove like a symphony. The songs start off with minimal melodies onkeyboard or sampler, instruments are added, and the ingredients swelland soar, expanding to a large, full sound. For a band like Yo La Tengoto record music to accompany nature films seems somewhat odd; Stars ofthe Lid would not be out of place at all to record an album of musicfor aquariums. It's the kind of music you want to relax to, to put onbefore you go to sleep to work new dreams for you, or to learn aboutthe secrets of the deep or the universe. It prepares your mind foralmost anything. The first three tracks, "The Atomium" parts onethrough three, are a hint at the multi-part extended works to come,with a very simple note progression that shifts through three tonesalong its path. Encompassing half the album, it was the duo's mostambitious effort yet, and also their most moving. It ends abruptlybefore the nine-minute "Dust Breeding," a swell-and-buzz track wherethe space between the notes is just as important as the notesthemselves. The echo on the track is particularly effective, but as itfades away to let in more crystalline keyboard sounds you'd never missit. The album closes with the beautiful "I Will Surround You," proofpositive that you don't need much in terms of instruments and notes toevoke tears. For fans it is a must, and for others I would recommendthis release as an introduction to the band. It's just enough of ataste to prepare you for the outer reaches of their brand of orchestraldrone. Read More
