Aix Em Klemm - Aix Em Klemm

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

Label: Kranky
Format: CD

One summer night, I fell asleep listening to Labradford. The next morning I didn't remember a damn thing, nor did I ever listen to Labradford again. Maybe it was because of their name, which sounds l

Review

One summer night, I fell asleep listening to Labradford. The next morning I didn't remember a damn thing, nor did I ever listen to Labradford again. Maybe it was because of their name, which sounds like an unlikely combination of Yorkshire pudding and Dijon mustard. I heard Stars Of The Lid a few times as well and thought they were pretty decent, but Aix-Em-Klemm, which features two members, Adam Wiltzie and Bobby Donne from those two downbeat soundpaintermen bands, are the best of the three acts . Their self-titled debut album is on Kranky from Chicago, so go on, compare this to Godspeed You Back Emperor or Wendy and Carl. Aix-or to give it is full name Aix-en-Provence - is a very fine Roman city in Le Var, or perhaps it is in another département. It is the next stop after Valence on Le TGV anyway, and was once heralded as the papal residency in France, but the Romans didn't go for that. It stands out anyhow. Aix-Em-Klemm, don't ask me what that stands for ! Em-Klemm has a semitic touch to it, or perhaps it is Arabian. I think Adam and Bobby are just trying to mystify things here though. Gradually a structure, however, becomes apparent on 'Aix-Em-Klemm', most notably on the introductory 'Girl With...' when vocals suddenly appear. "Hypnotizing" is perhaps the best description available and yes, it does cover it all. 'Sophteonal' has this spatial quality, and begins with this twangy guitar which is reminiscent of Ennio Morricone, but then later sounds like it has been recorded in a cathedral. The six tracks take time. I'm cynical enough to want to slag these off, being hippy stuff and all that, but I , however, can't. 'The Girl With Flesh Colored Crayon' got a grip on me straightaway. This album, which was recorded in May 2000, is full of small beauties that will keep you coming back for extra esoteric delight. Aix-Em-Klemm is like a maiden cricket opening over : immaculate, but with no wicket taking and no byes taken either. Lots of grand fieldwork but with non-penetrating deliveries. Classical buffs with a liking for Händel may like this.