A Chorus of Storytellers [Vinyl]

The Album Leaf | Format: Vinyl

Product Details

• Vinyl (February 9, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sub Pop
• ASIN: B002ZTIJ2K
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,050 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Perro

2. Blank Pages

3. There Is a Wind

4. Within Dreams

5. Falling from the Sun

6. Stand Still

7. Summer Fog

8. Until the Last

9. We Are

10. Almost There

11. Tied Knots

Editorial Reviews

A Chorus of Storytellers was recorded by Ryan Hadlock in the frosty month of February 2009 at Bear Creek Studio just outside of Seattle. It was mixed in the decidedly warmer month of June in Reykjavik, Iceland by Birgir Jon Birgisson (of Sigur Ros). For the first time in five albums, The Album Leaf recorded as a whole band. In the past, almost every instrument was performed by principal songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jimmy LaValle. This time the whole band was invited to participate and the result is their best record yet.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but along the same lines..., July 20, 2010

By 

Chefsprive (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Chorus Of Storytellers (MP3 Download)

I have to agree with comments from other listeners. I have enjoyed Album Leaf records for quite some time now, and have enjoyed this last release as well. While I do enjoy their instrumental pieces better, their vocal pieces have also been entertaining. But, over all, there is nothing earth shattering with this release, and as other reviewers have mentioned, if you were looking for something new, you will not find it here. But I still give the release 4 stars because it is a good album. I like their style, and have enjoyed listening to this last album.

I am finding that a few bands that I have enjoyed, spanning various musical styles, have found themselves in a rut, and keep putting out the same type of music. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but, at some point, it shows a lack of progression, and perhaps a lack of interest in the exploration of music, and the desire to take listener on an intriguing musical journey. I think artists all find themselves dealing with this particular challenge at some point in their career, and so we shall see how The Album Leaf reacts going forward.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Impulse buy... worth it!, July 28, 2011

By 

Hooshtin - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Chorus Of Storytellers (MP3 Download)

I heard the song Stand Still on Pandora and immediately ran to Amazon to buy the album. I rarely buy albums based off one song (usually I just buy the song), but I had a feeling that I would like the album. So far, so good! It's great music to listen to while working. Very relaxing, chill, ambient-ish. Highly recommended!

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Long overdue, but welcome, return of the Album Leaf, February 6, 2010

By 

Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Chorus of Storytellers (Audio CD)

The Album Leaf, the moniker under which one-man band Jimmy LaValle operates, created a nice indie-buzz with its second album, 2001's "One Day I'll Be On Time", an album I still cherish to this day. The band's output since then has been skimpy. There was an equally excellent 2004 album "In a Safe Place", and an ok album in 2006 "Into the Blue Again". Now finally comes the band's fifth album, which actually was recorded not just by LaValle solo, but by his entire touring band.

"A Chorus of Storytellers" (11 tracks; 50 min.) starts off with the intimate "Perro", which is followed by a mesmorizing "Blank Pages". I'm not a big fan of the band's non-instrumental songs (meaning with lead vocals), but "There Is A Wind" is not bad at all. Track 6, the middle track of the album, "Stand Still" is one of my favorites on here, starting off with loud drums, over which Jimmy LaValle's keyboards come in, to then go into a full band mode, just great. A coupe of great, dreamy tracks follow ("Summer Fog", "Until The Last"). "We Are" is the second track to feature vocals. The album finishes with "Tied Knots", a seminal, dreamy Album Leaf track, and what a great way to close this album out. In all, this album is an excellent album, for me the best since "One Day I'll Be On Time". Welcome back, guys!

I've seen the Album Leaf in concert only once, in 2001, in support of the "One Day" album (opening for Sigur Ros, no less) and what a fabulous concert that was (has it really been that long ago?). Can't wait to see these guys again live. If you wonder where you can hear this album, check out WOXY (BAM! The Future of Rock and Roll), the internet-only station that brings the best indie-music in the country. Meanwhile, "A Chorus of Storytellers" is highly recommended.