stars of the lid
Avec Laudenum CD
Avec Laudenum was originally released on the Belgian label Sub Rosa in 2000. Adam Wiltzie and Brian McBride recorded the album via mail and by the time it was released Wiltzie had moved from Austin, Texas to Brussels, which is reflected in the three part salute to Brussels' derelict World's Fair Grounds and the Atomium structure that sits there.
Bridging the gap between the band's collaboration with New York painter John McCafferty, Per Aspera Ad Astra and their critically acclaimed, ambitious double CD and triple LP set The Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid, Avec Laudenum marked a decided expansion of the Stars of the Lid drone methodology. Here the duo's use of guitars and samplers is more compositionaly directed, creating long and exquisitely stretched out melodies, marking out the territory that the band would go on to explore in more depth with Tired Sounds...
Having drifted out of print years ago, Avec Laudenum is finally available again thanks to this kranky reissue. Housed in a new cardboard sleeve, this is a must for the Stars of Lid fan, and probably the best place to start for those unfamiliar with this seminal band.