Temporal is a year 2000 retrospective of Love Spirals Downwards’ recordings for Projekt Records between 1991 and 1999. From their hauntingly beautiful acoustic beginnings to their later ethereal electronica sound, this 13 song compilation provides an overview of the project’s early evolution. Includes album cuts, remixes of tracks from Flux, rare compilation and EP tracks, plus a stunning live acoustic version of “Subsequently”.

“Love Spirals Downwards have continued to evolve, never remaining static in one time or place. This new collection of recent and older songs is true to its title — Temporal — providing new and old fans with a glimpse of where they are and where they’ve been. Following a reverse continuum, Temporal journeys from new dance remixes from Flux, backwards to material from their very first album.” ~ Projekt Records

CONTEMPORANEOUS REVIEWS:

“Love Spirals Downwards has always existed in a moody, enchanting universe all its own. Their earlier releases contain haunting, drifting melodies and layered, melancholy vocals reminiscent of Enya, while later albums incorporate some gentle yet vital dance beats into the spell. Temporal is a comprehensive overview of the duo’s many shades. Whether you’re relaxing in the dark tranquility of post-first-date bliss, or are swimming in the nostalgia of love lost, this album will help you keep warm.” ~Jeff Stringer, Borders ‘Inside Magazine’

“A few years ago, a couple of phenomena exploded out of the UK and into the American consciousness: the post-Portishead wave of trip-hop groups, plus the smooth drum & bass most prominently showcased stateside via LTJ Bukem. Both of those models have found a happy hybrid in the recent music of Love Spirals Downwards. But LSD’s existence predates either of those styles. The electronic washes and gentle tug of implied beats carried along their early, ethereal pop. It was a perfect platform for Ryan Lum’s compositional evolution toward the quiet but emphatic breakbeats heard on LSD’s 1998 CD, Flux. Temporal is a collection which looks back through the haze, opening with three tracks that have their genesis in the Flux sessions: two unreleased remixes and an album cut. The music then drifts backward in time, showcasing an increasingly ambient sensibility in tracks that date all the way to 1992. It’s all very lovely, a nice sound to chill to after a hard night of pounding kick drums.” ~Benjamin Diaz, URB

“I can’t think of any ethereal band more sonically enchanting or musically daring than Love Spirals Downwards. No group has pushed the boundaries of the shoegazer sound since the formative days of the 4AD label during the 1980’s. Over four albums, programmer, Ryan Lum, and vocalist, Suzanne Perry, have deftly weaved solemn soundscapes with intelligent, thoughtful poetry. Unafraid of emerging electronic styles, Lum embraced ideas from genres as disparate as drum & bass and goth to evolve Love Spirals Downwards’ unique sound. Temporal serves as a great introduction to their music, a thirteen track CD offering remixes of “Misunderstood” and “Alicia” from 1998’s Flux, as well as songs from their earlier albums. Hearing early songs like the tenebrous “Ladonna Dissima” from 1992’s Idylls illustrates how versatile and adventurous the duo is. Fans will also appreciate “Amarillo” and “Mediterranea,” previously only available as singles or on compilations. This release reminds me of how much I anxiously await Love Spirals Downwards’ next album. ~ David Slatton, Outburn

“This retrospective collection of unreleased and hard-to-find synthetic dreamscapes succeeds on a variety of cosmic levels. Containing moodist masterworks like “Asleep,” “Depression Glass” and “This Endris Night,” this album certainly has the icy sound required to keep things properly evocative. Anyone else feel like having an absinthe? “ ~Mitch Myers, Magnet