Since I Left You
The Avalanches
2000
Album Summary
Since I Left You is the debut studio album by Australian electronic music group the Avalanches, released on 27 November 2000 by Modular Recordings. It was produced by group members Robbie Chater and Darren Seltmann (under the pseudonym Bobbydazzler), and samples extensively from various genres. The album was recorded and produced at two separate, near-identical studios by Chater and Seltmann, exchanging audio mixes of records they sampled. After the album's positive reception in Australia, the duo considered an international release – its date was held back until 2001 in the United Kingdom and North America and appeared in slightly altered forms. The delay and changes occurred so that the group could obtain permission to use the samples or use replacements. Four singles were released from the album: "Electricity", "Frontier Psychiatrist", "Since I Left You", and "Radio". The group promoted the album by organising headlining tours in Australia, Europe and the United States. Since I Left You was acclaimed by critics. It peaked in the top 30 on the ARIA Albums Chart, number 12 in Norway, number eight on the UK Albums Chart and, in the United States, at number ten on the Top Electronic Albums chart and in the top 40 on the Top Heatseekers chart. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2001, it won in four categories: Breakthrough Artist – Album, Best Dance Release, Producer of the Year for Bobbydazzler, and Breakthrough Artist – Single for "Frontier Psychiatrist". Since I Left You became one of the best-reviewed albums of the 2000s, and was listed at number ten in the book 100 Best Australian Albums.
WikipediaA big bright spring time party where all my mates are having a beautiful time. Complex and intricately layered without being hard to listen to. They somehow manage to capture a thousand textures and feelings in every song (eg Etoh). Love the foreshadowing of the horse neigh early on before it comes back on Frontier Psychiatrist (and all the reoccuring samples for that matter). Also love the vinyl crackle that permeates through the whole thing. And the intros and outros all seem to be incredibly well thought out and compliment the incoming tracks so well. They're all 5/5 songs but highlights have to be Radio, Two Hearts in 3/4 Time and Electricity (huge tune). Pablo's Cruise gets an honourable mention too, what a freaky track. Also.. 𝖆𝖚𝖘𝖘𝖎𝖊 𝖕𝖗𝖎𝖉𝖊 𝖇𝖗𝖆
I feel like one would need a belly full of E to really jam to this album. It's poppy without being catchy, edgy without being cool, eclectic without being interesting. It feels like some kids who were big fans of The Crystal Method tried their hands at something similar but missed the mark. It listens like a "nailed it" meme. The only thing saving this from a one-star review is the production being top-notch and because the track "Frontier Psychiatrist" is actually a really fun track for being a giant, jumbled sample-salad. It's about a minute too long but it's fun nonetheless.
"Since I left you" is a staple and it paved the way for sample based instrumentals that ooze familiarity. This style of songwriting totally opened the door for this genre. If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out the artist "Dirty Art Club".
Since I Left You makes up for its lack of obvious stand out tracks with impeccably perfect song transitions, catchy rhythms that are equally great for daydreaming as they are partying, and eclectic sample choices which give it that weird mysterious edge. Within these songs is a creative world, barely out of reach, with life and texture. It's like musical cinema or a gripping book. It's not perfect but it's worth getting lost in its suspense, romance, and overall joie de vivre. A worthy classic imo. Probably most appealing to EDM fans or very nerdy hip-hop fans as it has that DJ Shadow feeling.
I have a lot of pre-existing fondness for this album - takes me back to end of uni / just graduated times. The title track was definitely the soundtrack of a summer around then. It's just a fantastic melange of samples whirled together to produce some wonderful pop. I still really dig it! Fave track - this is one of those albums where picking fave tracks makes less sense, as the way everything segues together is part of the magic. "Frontier Psychiatrist" should get a mention for the fantastic music video. "Radio" is a highlight, as is "Two Hearts in 3/4 Time" as is "Tonight May Have to Last Me All My Life" Awesome stuff.
Plunderphonics is a unique genre for it's methodologies. By strictly using pre-existing music, artists will mix, match, and employ unconventional methods to create a whole new piece of art. Songs will be sliced and looped beyond recognition. It's an undertaking that requires insane production skills, as production becomes the songwriting in a way. If any album has mastered this art, it's Since I Left You. There are around 900 samples in this album. It is a feat. The Avalanches themselves said that they were crazy, and they wouldn't ever get that ambitious on future releases. That ambition is what makes Since I Left You so incredible though, as the samples envelop and keep you on a constant adventure of The Avalanche's perfectly-crafted sonic landscape. Loops ground each song and get built upon with more and more samples. They come from every which way, there's no use in following each thread as it's best to just ride the wave. The album art is a perfect representation of this feeling, I think. Thematically, The Avalanches leans into adventure through use of varying songs. As they all seamlessly transition from one to another, it's like crossing borders or biomes on your adventure. Track titles are indicative of this, with "Flight Tonight", "Pablo's Cruise", and "Little Journey". Worth nothing they had to re-record their big hit "Frontier Psychiatrist" because of samples not clearing (I'd imagine other songs got the same treatment). I encourage you to seek out the song on YouTube because it's a classic. Anyway. This is an amazing album. I can't stress enough how much I adore the thing. Just so consistently well-made throughout the runtime and brimming with good times.
This was the album that singlehandedly changed my mind on the ethics and artistic merit of sampling, and one of the 5 albums I credit with breaking me out of my "Rock is the ONLY real music!" phase (alongside Gorillaz' Demon Days, Madvillain's Madvillainy, Aesop Rock's None Shall Pass, and Daft Punk's Random Access Memories). Also, it's damn good.
10 Albums You Actually Need To Hear Before You Die Chapter 1: The Avalanches - Since I Left You I’ve always thought the term “plunderphonics” was a poor descriptor for The Avalanches’ music. It’s reductive and undermines the skill required to craft an album as captivating, detailed and unique as Since I Left You. Plundering implies recklessness and a disregard for history; something done with a lack of grace. Since I Left You is none of those things. It is a meticulously crafted record that, through sampling, nods to the past, while carving out a new way forward. Comprised of thousands of samples (the band has estimated anywhere from 900 to 3000 over the years), Since I Left You is a veritable encyclopedia of modern recorded music and sound: disassembled, then reconfigured to create something new and beautiful out of the already known. I first heard Since I Left You in the summer of 2002, stricken with mononucleosis. Tired of laying around at home, I went to Borders Books and Music to pick up the new Flaming Lips record “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” and see what other new albums had come in. I was familiar with Since I Left You, having read a review in Mojo Magazine a few months earlier. Their review, I believe, compared it to Paul’s Boutique, which I was a fan of, so it was a no-brainer when I saw it on the shelf that day. While the Paul’s Boutique comparison was apt, it didn’t prepare me for Since I Left You. If you could cram Paul’s Boutique inside of a kaleidoscope and spend a summer afternoon staring through it…that’s Since I Left You. Even though “Yoshimi” would end up getting more play on my stereo at the time, Since I Left You left an impression that continued to grow with each listen. Even now, some 20 years and countless listens later, I am in awe of it and find new details to appreciate. It is, in my opinion, one of the most important records of the 21st century, unrivaled in its creativity. Since I Left You is truly a masterpiece.
Oh dear. I hate repeated vocal samples. Frontier Psychiatrist used to make me want to break my radio. This might hurt... First album I can't actually listen to. So annoying. Good loops, but that horse sample and the same word 1,000 times just sounds moronic.
An absolute masterpiece and one of the best sample-based albums ever made, if not the best. This is a fantastic album technically and musically, and I cannot come up with any serious criticisms of it. It is truly a wonderful album and always a pleasure to listen to no matter how many times I've heard it already.
A marvelously put together concept that flows together so well. One of the most creative albums I've heard
Looped rhythms provide the soundtrack to a meditative disco in your mind, bleeps and blops poke the hard ridge at the back of your head, and maybe-familiar samples keep you guessing. In other words, it's a balancing act got right most of the time, the latter two elements keeping the tyranny of easy listening at bay. This also gave me pause to reflect that I was able to get a bead on this album because the 1001 listening exercise has exposed me to more albums of this type than I'd normally listen to, i.e. Chemical Brothers, Air and Daft. Praise be.
If you enjoy repetitive samples, words, and scratching ad nauseam then this is for you. It's like being stuck on a washing machine with a broken record.
So well crafted. They throw everything at this and it sticks. A perfect album.
One of the most beautiful and powerful listening experiences from start to finish, an hour of sheer bliss and brilliance. If you want to hear the album as it was intended to be heard, listen to the Zomba promo version. It has one more song (With My Baby) and Extra Kings is fully realized as the streaming version is sorely lacking. Regardless, amazing album all the way.
Goddamn this was magnificent. There are so many different genres coming together on this thing, and even on individual songs. The samples are really fun and can be super random to add some spice, too. Jammy. 10/10
5. Fucking. Stars. I found this album on Limewire back in the day when I was a poor kid just out of college and I have no idea why I was looking for it. I downloaded it all and had no idea what order the songs went in. But one listen to 'Frontier Psychiatrist' and I fell in love. As usual, I love the kitchen sink production. Aside - why, on Wikipedia, do they have a thumbnail of the cover art and when you click on it, it takes you to a page where you get the exact same art at the exact same size? Like... why even link it, Wikipedia?
I went into this album not knowing anything about it, and I'm glad I did. This album's concept is something I've been needing to hear for ages. Everything about it is amazing, I love the catchy beats, the samples, radio static, etc. I've already relistened multiple times and I'm 100% checking out their other work. Favorite Songs: Frontier Psychiatrist and Live at Dominos
Never heard of this Aussie electronic crew until now. Pretty fun stuff with a hip hop flav!! Not doing a full review since I'm a couple of days behind on my listening due to our 2020 countdown weekend, but glad to know who The Avalanches are!
The sound of this album was both familiar and different at the same time. Every song is comprised mainly of samples which gives the album a unique (unique for the 2000's at least) "time-traveler" feeling to it, of which I vibe with. Favorite track: Summer Crane
** Controversial **- Not my ususal genre pick to be fair, but I think it's pretty boring. I get that they are master samplers or some such, and sure, it's quite a feat to mash together 3,500 samples of other people's musical genius to bring this album together, but I just don't think it sounds that great. So. Repetitive.
cool sampled electronic album. flows well so it has to be listened to in full. good for walking and working.
Recording the same track several times is apparently a must hear album. I guess for a passive listen this is okay, but some real great album had its spot taken by this?
I'm not a fan of the genre, and this album doesn't do anything to change that.
Since I Left You by The Avalanches (2000) On the plus side, there is a remarkable consistency on each of these tracks in tempo and tonality. On the minus side is everything else. 1/5
The Avalanches.... Shit Tsunami is more like it. This is like if Moby had no talent for arrangement, or ear for music.
Fake record static and skips ruin an album for me, I'm just imagining someone that buys this on vinyl and then is just frustrated with why the brand new album is in such bad condition. About the only thing that made the album better was thinking about that and laughing. "Frontier Psychiatrist" was good just because it's honestly relatable. I don't get why this is on here. I was doing homework so at least I didn't fully waste an hour of my life.
I suppose it's quite clever at times, if you're into music created by samples etc. But for the most part it's just a horrible mess; annoying music made by people with no talent and even more crucially, no soul.
love this album. The samples and electronics work on every track. My favourite is frontier psychiatrist, banger
This album is an hour long song basically. It weaves through a ton of samples to make glistening and sparkly beats with that old time flavor. A lot of the samples still have the record popping sounds on them which I appreciate (either artificial or otherwise). I do think there is a couple filler tracks that didn’t really stand out as much to me and this could’ve probably been a 50 minute record. That being said, this is probably in the top 5 quintessential plunderphonics records and if you are into electronic music and sampling, you need to hear this record at least once. Favorite song: Frontier Psychiatrist Least favorite song: A Different Feeling
This reminds me strongly of my time in Australia, when I discovered The Avalanches. Incidentally also an Australian band (not the reason though). Absolute banger 5 stars EASY. Fun, alternative and love the use of layered sampling
A FAT FIVE FROM THE MOMENT IT HIT MY EARS. LIQUID GOLD RUNNING DOWN YOUR EAR HOLES, THEN INTO YOUR VEINS.
without a doubt a seminal album in the world of electronic music. doesn't get much better than this as far as experimental/glitchy electronic goes
Might have one of the best track flows there is, each song goes right into the next seamlessly. Love this album, so groovy.
ну классный альбом чо, все на семплах как в первом альбоме дж шедова, тока тут фанкидиско ивот это вот все
Realised I'd never listened to this all the way through. Really enjoyed it, a pleasant surprise. Top notch cut and paste sampling
One of the great mixtapes of all time and the soundtrack to the type of millennial house party I always dreamt of going to but was never cool enough to be invited to. For inventiveness, the sheer amount and variety of samples used (which shimmer and melt into, then emerge out of each other seamlessly), the nostalgia factor, the tinges of longing mixed with sadness, and for just the sheer fun factor you can't beat this. It’s lightning in a bottle.
Incredible timing. I was listening to this one on my own two days before this popped up here. I hadn’t listened to it in years prior. If you like heavily sample driven music that’s very cycling and self referential, then I think this is going to work. So many things to notice on replays. I really dig this music.
An Absolute Jam. All of tracks on here are linked perfectly well to create a fantastic experience front to back. Perfect record, nuff said. Favorites: Since I Left You, Radio, Electricity, Frontier Psychiatrist
DISCO lives forever! Fantastic album. Kept finding myself dancing for pretty much for the full hour. The cats thought I had lost it. The sampling on this album is wonderful. These songs are complex and cohesive sample assemblies that had me constantly lit up with moments of recognition. “Is that The Hustle?” “Fleetwood Mac!” “It’s Debbie Reynolds!” “There’s Holiday!” “The NBC Mystery Movie Theme?!” “You’re crazier than a coconut!” “Isn’t that a Disney short?” I’m not singling out any songs. This album is too fun as a whole journey. Fun fun fun yes indeed!
This was a great dance party. Tempos and styles changed but we kept grooving from start to finish. Loved it.
I am not at all familiar with The Avalanches. So, this was a new listening adventure, and I sid enjoy it very much! There were moments where I felt like I was in a club and moments where I was kicking back to chill…and there were also a couple of moments where I was thinking “What…is…happening, and how can we make it stop?!?” But those moments were not disruptive enough to lessen my ‘love’ rating. Also, Frontier Psychiatrist is an absolute masterpiece!!
I recall driving to JB-Hifi in Woden to pick this up on release weekend and listening to it in the car on the way home. When 'Stay Another Season' hit I couldn't believe my ears... did Madonna okay that sample? Apparently she did. Wow!
A suite of nicely mashed together samples and beats. Frontier Psychiatrist probably my favourite
One of, if not the greatest, plunderphonix albums. Blends so well with so many different topics. It is a work a beauty
I nearly didn't listen tot this because I was doing sound yesterday for work. I'm very glad I didn't as I've never heard anything like this, it manages to be catchy without feeling tiresome and experimental without feeling convoluted.
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Since I left you, Radio, Diners only, Electricity, Etoh, Extra kings
Really cleverly made with all those samples. Poppy and easy to listen to but the tracks have a lot of layers on re-listens. The album is sort of a complete experience, very well crafted. Been one of my favorites for a while!
This album is so bouncy and fun, constantly weaving these grooves from all over. Radio is a jam. A Different Feeling reminds me of old Daft Punk. Frontier Psychologist is a favorite. Etoh into Summer Crane is smooth like butter.
It's just brilliant. Plunderphonics is an underrated artform, and Avalanches are masters of this. The way the album flows through a strange neverending wistful holiday (which I always thought might be the afterlife, and I also believe one of the 800 or so samples is of Holiday by Madonna) is genius.
Since I Left You and Frontier Pyschaitrist are brilliant tracks, the rest of the album pretty damn good
A Magnus opus of the sampling genre. This album screams warm summer evenings. Intricate and intelligent and yet contains all the necessary elements of a feel good pop album! How can you not love this?
I love this album, it was my first introduction to plunderphonics, and it remains one of the only albums of that genre I can stand really. I really enjoy how it flows from one song to the next without feeling whiplashed or bored. There is a part towards the end that gets a bit slow, but I don't really mind. All-around a beautiful and magical album.
A symphony of samples, and an absolute delightful sort of background music that can creep to the foreground seamlessly.
Love this album. Such a classic that was steeped in so much mystery for the longest time as well. Would love to see a comprehensive list of all the samples they used. 5/5
Aaaaah that sample that Mac Miller also used! I didn’t realise their other songs (apart from Frontier Psychiatrist) were also good!
Love this album. Been listening to this since college and I come to appreciate it more over the years. It follows in the steps of producers like DJ Shadow and finds a way to make energetic, catchy, and melodic songs almost entirely through samples. This album is over 20 years old but still feels cool and exciting and layered to me. I would name some standout tracks but I love this thing from top to bottom. That boy needs therapy.
Äää rakastann. Parhautta alusta loppuun. Ihanaa, että tää on olemassa, kiitos aussijäbät.
Tää on kuin sarja postikortin kokoisia maalauksia täynnä sairaan hienoja yksityiskohtia.
Have had this album on repeat for a bit Cool concept; they nail the mood through the whole album Since I Left You is just a great song Never knew when one song ended and another began Feels like a complete work