Perils From The Sea is a collaboration between Jimmy LaValle of the Album Leaf and Mark Kozelek. It’s a set of long, somber songs that melds LaValle’s spacious, orchestral electronic instrumentation with Kozelek’s forthright and world-weary vocals. They’re transfixing, often beautiful, sometimes unsettling. The collaboration grew out of mutual admiration. Kozelek had seen LaValle play a few times, both in his old band Tristeza and the Album Leaf, and was impressed; and he is a fan, especially, of Torey’s Distraction, last year’s soundtrack album from the Album Leaf. LaValle will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our new feature on him and Kozelek.
LaValle: This record is so good. Released in 1971, it’s a collaboration between Ian McDonald (King Crimson, Foreigner) and Michael Giles (King Crimson), Steve Winwood, Peter Sinfield (King Crimson) and Giles’ brother, Peter Giles. They made the record after both leaving King Crimson. I’ll put it this way, I can’t stand Jethro Tull. The way they use flute is ridiculous, not to mention the music is terrible (my opinion, of course). This record made me appreciate flute in rock. It’s fantastic and a well-done record. Giles’ drumming is unspeakably creative, as most drummers were back in the ’60s & ’70s. For a pop-culture reference of this record, the Beastie Boys sampled Giles’ drumming for their song “Body Moving.” This is probably not the best review, which is why I play music and don’t write reviews. That being said, do yourself a favor and listen to this record.
Video after the jump.
