Ensemble (Ensemble album)
| Ensemble | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 19 September 2006 | |||
| Recorded | 2002–2005 | |||
| Genre | Electronic | |||
| Length | 43:30 | |||
| Label | FatCat | |||
| Producer | Olivier Alary | |||
| Ensemble chronology | ||||
| ||||
Ensemble is the second studio album by French musician Olivier Alary under the name Ensemble.[1] It was released on FatCat Records on 19 September 2006.[2] It includes vocal contributions from Mileece, Lou Barlow, Cat Power's Chan Marshall, and Camille Claverie.[3] The Disown, Delete EP was released prior to the album.[4]
Background
[edit]Olivier Alary and vocalist Chanelle Kimber released the debut studio album, Sketch Proposals, under the group moniker Ensemble on Rephlex Records in 2000.[5] Alary subsequently broke ties with Kimber, and Ensemble became his solo project.[5] He collaborated with Björk on the song "Desired Constellation" for her album, Medúlla.[5] It took him four years to create Ensemble's self-titled, second studio album.[6] The album includes vocal contributions from Mileece (on "Summerstorm" and "All We Leave Behind"), Lou Barlow (on "One Kind Two Minds"), Cat Power's Chan Marshall (on "Disown, Delete"), and Camille Claverie (on "Loose").[7] Johannes Malfatti provided orchestral arrangements throughout the album.[7]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| The A.V. Club | A–[8] |
| Pitchfork | 5.7/10[5] |
| PopMatters | 7/10[7] |
| Stylus Magazine | B–[9] |
Doug Mosurock of CMJ New Music Monthly stated, "Alternating between warm and cool modes, Ensemble constructs long-form pop epics with the skill of dancers slowly unveiling a work of art in muted reds and deep, enveloping blues."[10] Michael D. Ayers of Billboard commented that "Ensemble's not for everyone, but if you're into Eno-inspired, stripped-down electronica, Alary might be your guy."[6] David Hemingway of XLR8R described it as "an album that thrives on its various antithetical qualities."[3]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Summerstorm" | 6:59 | |
| 2. | "Still" | Alary | 2:04 |
| 3. | "One Kind Two Minds" |
| 5:55 |
| 4. | "Unrest" | Alary | 1:52 |
| 5. | "Disown, Delete" |
| 6:13 |
| 6. | "All We Leave Behind" |
| 4:47 |
| 7. | "Loose" | Alary | 9:36 |
| 8. | "For Good" | Alary | 6:04 |
| Total length: | 43:30 | ||
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from liner notes.[11]
- Olivier Alary – electronics, guitar, bass guitar, piano, vocals, production, mixing, artwork concept
- Adam Pierce – drums
- Erik Hove – saxophone (1)
- Mileece – vocals (1, 6)
- Lou Barlow – vocals (3)
- Chan Marshall – vocals (5)
- Camille Claverie – vocals (7)
- Johannes Malfatti – orchestral arrangement, mixing
- Ryan Morey – mastering
- Marc Alary – artwork design, photography
References
[edit]- ^ Brown, Marisa. "Ensemble Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ "Ensemble by Ensemble". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ a b Hemingway, David (1 October 2006). "Ensemble Ensemble". XLR8R. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Keefe, Michael (1 September 2006). "Ensemble: Disown, Delete". PopMatters. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d Dombal, Ryan (29 November 2006). "Ensemble: Ensemble". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ a b Ayers, Michael D. (19 November 2006). "Ensemble, "Ensemble"". Billboard. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ a b c Keefe, Michael (13 October 2006). "Ensemble: Ensemble". PopMatters. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Murray, Noel (31 October 2006). "Music in Brief". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ Miller, Derek (9 October 2006). "Ensemble - Ensemble". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Mosurock, Doug (October 2006). "Best New Music". CMJ New Music Monthly. No. 143. p. 31.
- ^ Ensemble (2006). Ensemble (CD booklet). FatCat Records.