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]
| Ensemble | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 19 September 2006 | |||
| Recorded | 2002–2005 | |||
| Genre | Electronic | |||
| Length | 43:30 | |||
| Label | FatCat | |||
| Producer | Olivier Alary | |||
| Ensemble chronology | ||||
| ||||
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Billboard | favorable[5] |
| CMJ New Music Monthly | favorable[6] |
| Pitchfork | 5.7[7] |
| PopMatters | 7/10[8] |
| Stylus Magazine | B–[9] |
| XLR8R | favorable[3] |
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"[6] 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."[5] 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
editCredits adapted from liner notes.[10]
- 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 c 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 Ayers, Michael D. (19 November 2006). "Ensemble, "Ensemble"". Billboard. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ a b Mosurock, Doug (October 2006). "Best New Music". CMJ New Music Monthly. No. 143. p. 31.
- ^ Dombal, Ryan (29 November 2006). "Ensemble: Ensemble". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Keefe, Michael (13 October 2006). "Ensemble: Ensemble". PopMatters. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Miller, Derek (9 October 2006). "Ensemble - Ensemble". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ Ensemble (2006). Ensemble (CD booklet). FatCat Records.