Arts
Monday, May 14, 2007
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
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CONCERT PREVIEW
The Album Leaf
blooms at the Pig
By MATT RONEY sounds and drum loops as a foun-
For the Daily dation for evocative and hypnotic
post-rock. At its best, The Album
Jimmy LaValle knows how you Leaf's music is as stirring as it is
feel, and he has just the right song soothing. LaValle is more than
for it. capable of communicating with-
Over the course of several out the need for vocals, however,
wonderful and often breathtak- when he does sing, his voice adds
ing records, another dimension to the music.
the classically The Album This is a man who understands
trained pia- how to use vocals to add to the mix
nist and force Leaf of sounds, as tracks like "Always
behind The Friday,May28 For You" and "Writings on the
Album Leaf 9:30 p.m. Wall" illustrate.
has honed a 18+$10 advance, Experienced, The Album Leaf
deeply emo- $12atthe door resembles a standard rock group
tional form of - a guitar, bass, drums, keyboard
rock composi- At the Kerrytown quartet, rather than a LaValle solo
tion, result- Concert House project, as on most of the albums.
ing in music But looks can be deceiving, and
that is both abstract and listen- standard doesn't come close to
able. His sound encompasses the describing how mesmerizing this
sonic experimentation of many of group's music is.
today's pose-rock artists - fans Performing with The Album
of Mogwai and Explosions in the Leaf are Canada's Young Galaxy
Sky will find much to love - but it and New Orleans's Belong, both
never fails to be melodic. relatively new acts. Young Gal-
"I like drones and keeping axy's debut album was released on
notes intact," said LaValle. "A lot April 24 and has already received
of times songs become written a number of positive reviews. The
around a sound I feel is important group plays an orchestral brand
and should not be forgotten. But of indie-pop edging on My Bloody
I anchor them in a verse-chorus- Valentine-style shoegaze. It's
verse structure. It helps focus the layered, intricately harmonized
melodies." vocals can be simply overwhelm-
The Album Leaf's sound reflects ing. Imagine Clap Your Hands Say
this conceit, and it often uses basic See RONEY, Page 12
PHOTOS BY SHAYLENESPANIOLA/Daily
ABOVE AND BOTTOM RIGHT: Pieces exemplifying the miscellania of Burt Aaron's collection now showing at the MOCAD.
FINE ARTS REVIEW
You say potato, I say.
expre s sionism
By MAUREEN SULLIVAN
DailyArts Writer
In the contemporary art world,
it's nearly impossible to categorize
and define art.
For example, a
canvas paint- Stift:
ing may have International
elements of
photography, Contemporary
while a photo Art from the
may have
pieces of metal Collection of
sewed onto it Burt Aaron
Detroit Nowthrough
collector Jul g
Burt Aaron
explained that At the Museum
most collec- of Contemporary
tors and artists Art Detroit
simply use the FREE
term "stuff" as
a catchall term
that can be used to describe art of
any medium.
Currently, Aaron's vast and per-
sonal collection of contemporary
and relevant "stuff" pervades the
Museum of Contemporary Art
Detroit.
The exhibit features abstract
and expressionist paintings with
geometric shapes and bold splash-
es of primary and florescent color.
Installations and sculptures coexist
with witty pop art as well as realist
and conceptual photography in 167
works by 75 artists spanning from
the 1960s to the present.
A converted auto dealership, the
MOCAD provides a unique venue
to view the exhibit. The interior has
a raw, not quite finished feel, pro-
viding attendees with the freedom
to wander casually and explore
the open space unrestricted and
immersed in art.
The exhibit is not only a com-
mentary on the eclectic and var-
ied state of modern art, but also a
commentary on the state of collect-
ing. Attendees see art through one
man's vision: Aaron began collect-
ing twenty years ago out of a deep
admiration for art and artists.
ie. . Rim[ - + R E
i it
j ' v a "f l.. ^ 'w ifFt .
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Not an artist himself, Aaron said
one of the greatest compliments he
ever received was an artist friend
telling him that he looked at art
like an artist, that he was "one of
them."
"Ideas that are involved in the
creation of the work can represent
as much as the eventual realized
form. Art provides the opportu-
See MOCAD, Page 12
Anything but a brittle Leaf.