Aix Em Klemm - s/t
(Kranky)
Aix Em Klemm is the side project of Bobby Donne
(Labradford) and Adam Wiltzie (Stars of the Lid).
Combining members of two of the best bands in their
respective fields is an easy formula for creating a
really good new band. Not surprisingly, Aix Em Klemm
sounds pretty much like a combination of Labradford
and Stars of the Lid.
The album begins with a soft drone (à la Stars of the
Lid) which is eventually accented with Adam Wiltzie's
soft, airy vocals. The album is characterized by
similarly subtle combinations of guitar drone, bas,
and electronic textures, with the occasional vocal.
The main departure from this formula is in the third
track, "Sophteonal," which is a little more structured
and a little more abrasive than the other tracks; it
could fit very well on the Labradford self-titled record.
This may sound like the same old gimmick many a band
is going for these days, but you have to remember,
we're dealing with two of the masters.
This album, while far from a departure, is an
exquisitely nuanced piece of work. Each element is
where it should be and where and when it should be
there-not before. Each composition is also allowed
sufficient time to develop naturally, and the end
result is an inviting mix of the celestial drone of
Stars of the Lid and the fluid atmospherics of
Labradford.
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