Stars Of The Lid - The Ballasted Orchestra. LP [USA IMPORT]

Stars Of The Lid - The Ballasted Orchestra. LP

The much-in-demand vinyl version of the second (or third, depending on how you calculate) Stars of the Lid album, their first for Kranky, is finally being reissued. 

The original 4 track cassette recordings (yes, 4 track cassette my friends) were remastered and new lacquers were cut, and the original artwork has been updated. 

The music itself shows Sotl with one of their first major transitions, from the found sound and guitar abstractions of their previous Music for Nitrous Oxide to a much more defined and refined compositional structure which would soon develop into the full blown miniature symphonies heard on later works. 

As an added bonus, the double LP vinyl version has 9 additional minutes of material not on the  CD or digital versions. 

SOTLʼs first major statement as a sonic force to be reckoned with is now available on the analog format once more. 

Press quotes: 

“Sprawling drone-like expanses that are as physically effecting as they are beautiful. Poised on the edge of brilliance, this is likely to be the desolationist album of the year.” Melody Maker 

“So spare and infinite that the record truly creates a kind of detached reality, immersing the listener in the soft light of half-formed shapes and warmly numbing physical sensations. A gorgeous manipulation of organic sounds into rich, deeply hued choral arrangements and angelic voices that seep into the edges of consciousness.” CMJ 

“Whatʼs really compelling about this music is that it doesnʼt sound like it was played on instruments at all more like the result of contact miking a mutant lifeform.” The Wire 

“Will open and make available all of the secrets of a vacuous dimension teeming with particles and elements of the static, cerebral energy of dreaming.” Milk 

Tracklisting:

01 Central Texas | 02 Sun Drugs | 03 Down II | 04 Taphead | 05 F**ked Up (3:57 AM) | 06 Music For Twin Peaks Episode #30 Part I | 07 Music For Twin Peaks Episode #30 Part II | 08 The Artificial Pine Arch Song