Avec Laudenum is the fifth studio LP released by Stars of the Lid

Stars of the Lid

Stars of the Lid is a duo specializing in drone-based ambient music. They list among their influences minimalist and electronic composers such as Arvo Pärt, Zbigniew Preisner, Gavin Bryars, and Henryk Górecki, as well as Talk Talk , post-rock artists Labradford, and ambient innovator Brian...

. It was originally released on Sub Rosa

Sub Rosa

The Latin phrase sub rosa means "under the rose" and is used in English to denote secrecy or confidentiality, similar to the Chatham House Rule....

 in 1999 and then re-released on Chicago indie Kranky

Kranky Records

Kranky is an independent record label, located in Chicago, Illinois. It was started in 1993 by Bruce Adams and Joel Leoschke.The bands it houses are noted for combining experimental and often electronic influences with elements of more traditional rock structures, and many of the artists on Kranky...

 in late 2002. The title translates as "With Laudanum", laudanum

Laudanum

Laudanum , also known as Tincture of Opium, is an alcoholic herbal preparation containing approximately 10% powdered opium by weight ....

 being an opiate

Opiate

In medicine, the term opiate describes any of the narcotic opioid alkaloids found as natural products in the opium poppy plant.-Overview:Opiates are so named because they are constituents or derivatives of constituents found in opium, which is processed from the latex sap of the opium poppy,...

. The first three tracks are three sections of one long piece but, while within the minimalist vein, they have some variation and movement. The final two, individual tracks are more minimalist than the former and create a "floating bliss" atmosphere. By the time of this recording, band members Adam Wiltzie

Adam Wiltzie

Adam Wiltzie is a composer and sound engineer. Although he may be best known for founding the seminal ambient classical projects Stars of the Lid, The Dead Texan, and Aix Em Klemm, he also has recorded, played, and worked as a live sound engineer for famed groups such as The Flaming Lips, Mercury...

 and Brian McBride

Brian McBride

Brian Robert McBride is a retired American soccer player who finished his career for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer , but spent the majority of his time in MLS playing for the Columbus Crew. For much of his career he played in Europe, notably for Fulham in the English Premier League...

 were residing in Brussels

Brussels

Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...

, Belgium

Belgium

Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...

, and Los Angeles

Los Ángeles

Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...

, California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

, respectively. It is reported that a vast proportion of this album was recorded through mail, with ideas being sent back and forth between the duo.

Critical Reaction

The album was generally praised by critics. John Bush, writing for Allmusic, stated:

Track listing

1. "The Atomium, Part One" – 5:32
2. "The Atomium, Part Two" – 10:43
3. "The Atomium, Part Three" – 6:17
4. "Dust Breeding (1.316)+" – 9:08
5. "I Will Surround You" – 10:28