Labradford, Labradford (side A)

1996's self-titled album was Labradford's third full-length, and their last with vocals.  It moves back away from the more overt melodies of A Stable Reference, and feels closer in many ways to their debut album Prazision LP.  Experimentation with subtle patterned rhythms, which would grow more prominent on later records, first shows up here.  The clarity of the musicianship also sometimes moves into the background here in favor of a more pure ambient palette.  Labradford is mastered somewhat murkily with thick low-mids and de-emphasized high-end.  The beautiful packaging includes a die-cut cover with the choice of two images to show through the opening.