The Avalanches
"Wildflower"
(Astralwerks (ASTERISK)(ASTERISK)(ASTERISK))
Like Terrence Malick or Henry Roth or Guns N' Roses, The Avalanches went away for what seemed like forever, and now their new work faces the challenge of living up to impossible expectations.
Sixteen years ago, the sample-mad Australian production crew released "Since I Left You," a plunderphonics masterpiece that built on hundreds of snippets of found sound. It has grown in cult stature as the years have passed and absence has made the ears grow fonder.
Now, with "Wildflower," the Down Under mixmasters are finally back _ sample-clearance delays and founding member Robbie Chater's struggles with autoimmune disease were causes of the delay _ and their freewheeling aesthetic is still in place. With contributions from a carefully curated collaborators list that includes Toro Y Moi, Camp Lo, Father John Misty, Jennifer Herrema, and, on the more grating than ingratiating "Frankie Sinatra," rappers MF Doom and Danny Brown, there's no shortage of fun to be had.
But at this late date in the digital era, The Avalanches' cut-and-paste technique comes off as more dependably entertaining than musically revelatory. Not nearly as mind-blowing the second time around.
_Dan DeLuca
