| A I A: Alien Observer | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 11, 2011 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 39:07 | |||
| Label | Yellow Electric | |||
| Producer | Liz Harris | |||
| Grouper chronology | ||||
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| Singles from A I A: Alien Observer | ||||
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A I A: Alien Observer is the seventh studio album by American musician Liz Harris under the stage name Grouper. It is the second of her two-part album series A I A, released on April 11, 2011, on Yellow Electric. The track "Alien Observer" was issued on April 3, prior to the album's release. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pitchfork | 8.1/10 [2] |
A I A: Alien Observer, along with A I A: Dream Loss , received an honorable mention on Pitchfork 's list of the best albums of 2011. [3] In 2016, Pitchfork ranked Alien Observer at number 21 on its list of the 50 best ambient albums of all time. [4]
All tracks are written by Liz Harris
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Moon Is Sharp" | 6:49 |
| 2. | "Alien Observer" | 3:57 |
| 3. | "Vapor Trails" | 9:05 |
| 4. | "She Loves Me That Way" | 8:34 |
| 5. | "Mary, On the Wall - Second Heart Tone" | 6:08 |
| 6. | "Come Softly - for Daniel D." | 4:34 |
| Total length: | 39:07 | |
Ambient music is a genre of music that emphasizes tone and atmosphere over traditional musical structure or rhythm. It may lack net composition, beat, or structured melody. It uses textural layers of sound that can reward both passive and active listening and encourage a sense of calm or contemplation. The genre is said to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual", or "unobtrusive" quality. Nature soundscapes may be included, and the sounds of acoustic instruments such as the piano, strings and flute may be emulated through a synthesizer.
...I Care Because You Do is the third studio album by electronic musician Richard D. James under the alias Aphex Twin, released on 24 April 1995 by Warp. Containing material recorded between 1990 and 1994, the album marked James's return to a percussive sound following the largely beatless Selected Ambient Works Volume II (1994), and pairs abrasive rhythms with symphonic and ambient elements. The cover artwork is a self-portrait by James.
Heaven or Las Vegas is the sixth studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Cocteau Twins, released on 17 September 1990 by 4AD. Despite 4AD president Ivo Watts-Russell proclaiming it one of the best-ever releases on his label, he released the group from their contract at the end of 1990 because his relationship with the band had soured.
Selected Ambient Works Volume II is the second studio album by Aphex Twin, the pseudonym of British electronic musician Richard D. James. It was released by Warp in March 1994. Billed as a follow-up to James' debut Selected Ambient Works 85–92, the album differs in sound by being largely beatless ambient music. James claimed that it was inspired by lucid dreaming, and likened the music to "standing in a power station on acid."
Surfing on Sine Waves is a studio album by the musician and producer Richard D. James under the alias Polygon Window. James is better known as Aphex Twin. The record was released on 11 January 1993 through the label Warp. It entered the UK Dance Albums Chart at No. 2 on 23 January 1993. James' previous album, Selected Ambient Works 85–92, was then at No. 9 on the chart, and James briefly had two records in the Dance Albums Top 10 under different pseudonyms. The 2001 reissue edition includes the previously unreleased tracks "Portreath Harbour" and "Redruth School".
M83 are a French electronic music group formed in Antibes in 1999. Initially the duo of multi-instrumentalists Nicolas Fromageau and Anthony Gonzalez, Fromageau parted ways shortly after touring for their second album Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts. Gonzalez remains the sole constant member of the project, as the primary songwriter and lead vocalist.
The Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid is the sixth studio album by ambient drone music group Stars of the Lid. It was released in late 2001 on the Kranky label, on two CDs and three LPs. The album features long minimal, droning compositions created from heavily treated guitar, horn, flute, piano, and other classical instruments.
Pygmalion is the third studio album by English rock band Slowdive, released on 6 February 1995 by Creation Records. It was the group's final album before their reformation in 2014, and their only album with Ian McCutcheon, who had replaced Simon Scott on drums.
94 Diskont is the fourth album by German electronic music group Oval. It was released in 1995 via Mille Plateaux in Europe and in 1996 by Thrill Jockey in the United States. It was the final Oval release to feature Sebastian Oschatz and Frank Metzger. It has received critical acclaim.
Beach House is an American indie band formed in Baltimore in 2004 by current members Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally. Their work is characterized by a hypnotic dream pop style.
Cross is the debut studio album by French electronic music duo Justice. It was first released digitally on 11 June 2007, and later on 18 June through Ed Banger Records and Because Music in most countries and Vice Records in the United States.
Richard David James, known professionally as Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born British musician, composer and DJ. He is known for his idiosyncratic work in electronic styles such as techno, ambient, and jungle. Journalists from publications including Mixmag, The New York Times, NME, Fact,Clash and The Guardian have called James one of the most influential and important artists in contemporary electronic music.
The War on Drugs is an American rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 2005. The band consists of Adam Granduciel, David Hartley, Robbie Bennett (keyboards), Charlie Hall (drums), Jon Natchez, Anthony LaMarca (guitar) and Eliza Hardy Jones.
Grouper is the solo project of American musician, artist and producer Liz Harris. She has released material on her own label and other independent labels since 2005. Grouper released the critically acclaimed Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill in 2008, followed by five more records, including a two-part album, A I A, and the piano-led album Ruins. Her twelfth album, Shade, was released in 2021.
A I A: Dream Loss is the sixth studio album by American musician Liz Harris under the stage name Grouper. It is the first of her two-part album series A I A, released on April 11, 2011 on Yellow Electric.
Shrines is the debut studio album by Canadian electronic music duo Purity Ring. It was released on July 20, 2012, by 4AD. Purity Ring recorded the album separately at home over several months, sending their parts via email. Shrines has been described as an electropop, synth-pop, dream pop, and indie pop album, incorporating hip hop-inspired production and "striking" lyrics. It was produced by Purity Ring, with additional production by Jon Hopkins.
Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill is the fifth studio album by American musician Liz Harris under the stage name Grouper. It was released on June 10, 2008 on Type Records. The album was later reissued alongside Grouper's The Man Who Died in His Boat in 2013 by Kranky.
The Man Who Died in His Boat is the ninth studio album by American musician Liz Harris under the stage name Grouper. It was released on February 4, 2013 on Kranky.
Oshin is the debut studio album by American rock band DIIV, released on June 26, 2012, by Captured Tracks. The album was produced by frontman Zachary Cole Smith.
Ruins is the tenth studio album by American musician Liz Harris under the stage name Grouper. It was released in the United States on October 31, 2014 on Kranky.
