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Ardor [Remastered Reissue]

by Love Spirals Downwards

supported by
Adam D
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Adam D Have loved this band since the 90’s ; So many good memories of being young and hopelessly in love. LSD and Everything But The Girl both brought performance art to a whole new level with powerful lyrics and iconic melodic rock . Flux is my favorite album but Ardor is my second favorite. Ryan’s guitar work is just in a different sonic universe on this record. My favorite track is Sunset Bell ; mainly because it was featured on a episode of the late 90’s action TV show La Femme Nikita. Favorite track: Sunset Bell.
rikm
rikm thumbnail
rikm Blissful and beautiful tunes that remind me of lazy summers spent watching stars and Gregg Araki films. Sometimes I miss those days, and I'm glad that there are albums like Ardor to remind me how wonderful they were...
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  • Digipac CD
    Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Not only does this reissue offer excellent sonic quality, but an extended songlist including two never before released out-takes and a live recording. Plus, it boasts a beautiful new version of the cover art, expanded for the digipac format. Like the music, LSD returned to the original source photographs by Tom Pathe and Susan Jennings to offer a higher quality version of the art than early 90's technology could produce. Additional band portraits taken in 1994 enhance the original design and add to the overall beauty of Love Spirals Downwards dream pop masterpiece.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Ardor [Remastered Reissue] via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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1.
I’m finding missing you much deeper I can feel the ice begin to crack And then there were signs but chances Burning through me And I grow dizzy I am out of myself Can you feel it? Always within yourself Will you fade now, should I let you? Left with indifference, I remain So much depends now on this distance These things escape Well now, I’m too dizzy I am out of myself Can you feel it? Too much within yourself And I grow dizzy I am out of myself Can you feel it? Always within yourself
2.
Sidhe 05:36
3.
My lief es far en londe The sea has bounds, desire none Spirit all compact of fire Dance on the sands, tonight Your lips are conquerors, Your lips are filled with lies Lost, lost in what seems That’s how it should be Who, who is to see We write in water Now Touch me under this sinking sky I can command the smile Be stirring as the time Be fire with fire, with fire Your lips are conquerors, Your lips are filled with lies Lost, lost in what seems That’s how it should be Who, who is to see We write in water Now
4.
Avincenna 04:07
5.
6.
Subsequently 04:25
7.
8.
Kykeon 04:44
9.
I journey to the valley of the moon Driven forward by brilliant shafts of light Half crazed from lack of love I swoon And cry your name into the cold dark night Close my burning eyes to see your shining face Floating in dreams that tortures soul and heart Promises of love, love and light and grace That dissappear, upon waking with a start I find myself alone, confused and forlorn I cry your name into the, the cold dark night Gazing round myself, I am surprised to see Moon comes down to me; her gentle arms enfold me Love to dream Dream of love And all it was, it was what I wanted to be with you And all it was, it was everything to me you knew All it was, it was that I wanted to be with you And it was, it was everything to me -- By Jennifer Wilde
10.
Sunset Bell 05:45
11.
12.
13.
14.

about

"Like standing under a waterfall: guitar trickles & swirls like a mist around you; as warm cascading female harmonies envelop you, washing you in beauty and melancholy."

Ardor is the 1994 follow-up to Love Spirals Downwards' critically acclaimed Projekt debut, Idylls. For this 2007 reissue band founder, sole musician, and producer, Ryan Lum returned to his master tapes and re-mastered the entire album to ensure the highest sound quality possible. Lum has said that he "always felt the mastering quality was lacking, particularly with 'Ardor'" and that "compared to the original" the reissue "sounds much cleaner and sweeter." Indeed, the depth and clarity of the recordings is remarkably improved with greater definition and more sparkle.

And sparkle is an important ingredient in this sophomore offering which features the signature swirling guitars, minimal bass lines, and slow paced tempos of the the era's Shoegazer movement. Dreamy and romantic sounding, Ardor is rich in atmosphere with lush layers of ethereal guitar textures, ebow guitar leads, jangly acoustic guitars, and the occasional spacey synth line. Atop this bed of sonic wizardly lies the crystalline voice of lead singer, Suzanne Perry, and the childlike voice of guest vocalist, Jennifer Wilde (known then as Jennifer Ryan Fuller).

While similar to their previous album in some regards, 'Ardor' has a more polished and mature sound -- from the drum programming and sampling through to their extended use of English lyrics. Perry shows a marked growth and confidence in both her writing and vocal delivery, allowing more of her words to cut through the reverb and delay with a heavenly purity. Much of Perry's mystery is still blessedly preserved with a surplus of cryptic poetry - some provided by Wilde, and Projekt labelhead, Sam Rosenthal - plus healthy helpings of her trademark "glossololia" and mimicked foreign languages - this time Western based, rather than Eastern.

Not only does this reissue offer excellent sonic quality, but an extended songlist including two never before released out-takes and a live recording. Plus, it boasts a beautiful new version of the cover art, expanded for the digipac format. Like the music, LSD returned to the original source photographs to offer a higher quality version of the art than early 90's technology could produce. Additional band portraits taken in 1994 enhance the original design and add to the overall beauty of Love Spirals Downwards dream pop masterpiece.

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"Romance! Despair! Trauma! Sounds good to you? Suzanne Perry and Ryan Lum once again create a world without boudaries, taking in subtle sounds and sharp senses, morphing them into music and presenting them back for our listening pleasure. Seductive and sad, full of longing and lust, this album can't help but satisfy your cravings for music that captivates with a hit of decay wafting about the edges. Like visiting ancient ruins on a sunny day, Ardor captures your imagination and it's up to you what you let them do with it. My suggestion: surrender to them!" -- B-Side Magazine

"The second album from melancholy bunch Love Spirals Downwards and a splendid affair it is too. Suzanne Perry's heavenly vocals mix with a lushly produced backdrop of melody and ambience for fifty gorgeous minutes of sound. This is simply introspective, intelligent "pop" (and I use the word reservedly) having more than a hint of sadness buried within it. Exquisite." -- Music from the Empty Quarter

"An album that is compelling, evocative and very, very beautiful." -Singapore Vogue

"Soaringly romantic and hauntingly brooding, Ardor practically celebrates an elegant brand of Euro-cool." -- The Orange County Register

credits

released November 20, 2007

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Ryan Lum: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboard, bass, drum machine programming, percussion, vocals
Suzanne Perry: vocals

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All songs written and performed by Ryan Lum and Suzanne Perry, except for tracks 5, 10, 12 & 13 written and performed by Ryan Lum (BMI), track 8 written by Ryan Lum, Kristen Perry, and Suzanne Perry, track 9 & 10 written by Jennifer Wilde and Ryan Lum, and track 11 written by Sam Rosenthal. Jennifer Wilde performs vocals on tracks 9 & 10.

Recorded, mixed, and produced by Ryan Lum. Digital Mastering by Ryan Lum in 2007. Originally released by Projekt Records in 1994.

Cover photo by Tom Pathe. Band photos by Pieter Lessing. Inside cover photo by Susan Jennings. Logo design by Michael Plaster.

Bonus Track Info: "Oisin and Niamh" and "I Could Find It (Instrumental Mix)" recorded and mixed during the original 1993 sessions. "Write in Water (Live)" recorded at The Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA, 9/21/1995.

All songs published by Seireenien Music, BMI
© 1994, 2007 Love Spirals Downwards

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Love Spirals Downwards Los Angeles, California

For over 3 decades, Ryan Lum has been crafting ethereal soundscapes, first with Suzanne Perry as Love Spirals Downwards and later with Anji Bee as Lovespirals. Lum has captivated listeners with his enchanting compositions and delicate guitar work, seamlessly blending acoustic and electronic elements, coupled with emotive female vocals, creating a distinctive dreamy and introspective ambiance. ... more

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