"Following in the footsteps of Hood's outstanding release "Cold House", Aesthetics has offered us another stellar long player by Chicago's l'altra. "In the Afternoon" is an elegant venture through a pastoral blossoming with sonic textures, melodic tenderness and emotional depth. Subsequent to the success of their first full-length, "Music of a Sinking Occasion," l'altra are furthering their sonic experimentation with confidence, being expansive in both their song-writing and arrangements, as well as how they play their instruments; implementing modern technologies and electronic song-writing as well as upright bass. l'altra have done their homework, passed the first spate of

exams, allowing "In the Afternoon" to feel like an artistic exhale, where it's finally time to reap the rewards of the effort, while breathing some changing energy into the world of indie rock. The exhalation is also personal, as this will be the final record with Ken Dyber (Aesthetics owner) as a member, who will be moving this autumn. "In the afternoon" personifies what the best guitar bands (the Mogwai's, Radiohead's, Sea & Cake..) hope to accomplish; a synergy of new ideas with musical craft and above all, emotion.