Customer Reviews

Fixed Context

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I always seem to run across David Lynch references when it comes to Labradford, and I guess they're valid...I, however, keep coming back to Michael Mann and his icy-cold, cobalt blue scenes in stark, cautiously decorated white abstract homes containing glass blocks up the wazoo and an ocean view to die for...Labradford create mood music for those who spend their nights contemplating their immediate surroundings...the art on their walls, the person in bed next to them, the way candle light bounces on the ceiling when the candle is placed under an A/C vent...anything, really...Bastard 60's Nashville and surf guitar teamed with brainy electronic blips and waves makes a disturbing and hypnotic team...Opening with an 18 minute-plus piece takes guts, and requires patience...This band's music blooms...it doesn't happen in seconds...it's meant for a solitary listener...If you have the will power to digest this type of aggressively-lazy music, you can sit back and conjure up countless images in your mind to it...Labradford is not for the antsy...nor is it for those who like to read along with lyrics...there are none...

Those who were disappointed with the rather aimless noodling on Labradford's previous "E Luxo So" album can take heart in the assurance that "fixed::context" is a more focused and considered offering, one which does not forsake the luxuriously amorphous drift that the band has cultivated over many years. Indeed, more attention is focused on longer term development than the absolute value of the music at any one time, and the only value in the moment lies in the resonance generated by notes and textures that appear to hang in mid air. Erik Satie would most certainly approve.

Although it seems peculiar to see Labradford and Steve Albini on the same CD in any capacity, the aesthetic combination here has resulted in 4 songs that are distinctly different than what has come before. In short, Labradford has made another disc of beautiful music without repeating themselves. Any fan will find this a wholly worthwhile experience.

This CD is as good as everything they have recorded previously yet it is also different in a way I can't put my finger on. Like listening to a dream. Do yourself a favor.

Ever since I met them in Virginia all those years ago, I have been in love with Labradford and the music they make. Their excursions into ambient realms have led to gloriously blissed out lps such as "A Stable Reference," and "E Luxo So."

Their newest effort finds our heroes treading new ground, yet doing so their calming, reassuring way. Their cosmic brand of Americana hearkens back the lost days of youth where we could sit and stare at the stars at night and do absolutely nothing otherwise. The sounds of the earth were our companions and we melded with the world around us.

Sure, it sounds drippy to an extent to liken Labradford's brand of ambient to such things, but listen to them. Their lp's move wonderfully between the quiet drones of ambience to moments of stillness with the music barely perceptable at all. Much like a summer evening with the occasional cricket chirping to offer music to the landscape of silence.

Labradford, as always, succeeds in making their unique brand of ambient music wonderfully satisfying to listen to or to meld with. Another soon to be classic effort by America's foremost masters of ambient music.

The feel of an early morning rain shower, shrouding you with its soft sound and and depth so deep it never really ends.

Labradford creates music with mood and feelling without holding onto any one specific emotional drive, simply mixing sombre melodies with a denseness that either completely envelopes the listener or flows in and out of existence like a dream. Anyone interested in hearing real music with amazing talent and detail invested into it should check out Labradford.

There newest release emits the fragile ambiant sound of E Luxo So, combined with the guitar and bass melodies of their earlier records like A Stable Reference. An excellent recording - not their personal best, however far, far better than most bands of today.

It's profound in its sublime simplicity. Like floating in a sonic bath until you get just the right temperature and weightless feeling, your mind starts to drift into that land between waking and sleeping, lids half-shut. You're officially ready to have an AHA moment! (no, not the group, the realization...) It reminds one of Brian Eno circa 1978, only focused more on real instruments. The soundstage could be these three musicians standing about 100 yards apart from each other on a plain in Nebraska, and your mind will feel more open than that after the first 5 minutes of this disc. If you're the type who can sit still for more than that first five minutes and reflect, you're a lock to buy this. Try it, you'll like it!

Labradford,one of the biggest name under the American post lable Kranky, has an habit that releasing an album/ep for every two years. But it seems that they really don't want to change their music style. Depression ,lonely is what I use to describe their music. Their latest album , the follow-up of E Luxo So, doesn't change alot too. Steve Albini is the producer of this album. you may question if the sound of Labradford has gone heavy or not. The answer is absoultely not. In my opinion, 'Fixed;Context' is their saddest album to date. They still enjoy to be the minimalists. Chaste sounding opener, Twenty, lasts about twenty minutes as well, though it upset me that how can a song repest the same melody over twenty minutes. After listening to this, I nearly fall asleep. Wien , the most beautiful song of this album, takes me out of this busy city and brings me to the galaxy. ALthough the album consists of four songs, every song seem similar with each other. The album itself also sound close to their past album. If you want to spend money to buy it, I won't think you waste your time and money. But i will recommend you to try the past works of Labradford first because they are far more melodic and special than this one, especially A Stable Reference and Mi Media Naranja which are the masterpieces of Labradford. Finally,I should point out on thing. If you are a fan of Labradford just like me , you should still buy this album . You won't be disappointed because everything in this album seems so familiar.