The backing tracks for Down Beat were recorded in just two days by a formidable ensemble, live and often improvised, and the range of material here is extraordinary, from some humourously mellow sax variations on the theme to 'The Waltons 'to the jazz-streaked, curiously-truncated 'Kalimba', which rolls out with the thunder of John Coltrane. Although his fellow Llamas loan him some instruments, that's where the debt to his band ends. The best moments are often the gentlest, such as 'You Said You'd Built Some Wings'-imagine if Miles Davis and Gil Evans had got together to orchestrate the band in Trumpton.
Aves specialises in charmingly offbeat , extremely musical art pop-like that found in the nooks of late '60s Beach Boys albums-featuring idea after clear idea. In that sense it's somewhat similar in style to the Llamas, but there is a pleasing organic, acoustic approach(the gorgeous ensemble backing tracks were recorded live) which makes the resulting music folkier, jazzier and warmer. And if you're thinking it might just be too diffident for its own good, an assertive 'proper' song like Making History and some lumpy jazz that doesn't quite come off make it clear that this music's magic lies in its fragmentary modesty. Elusive,evocative pieces like The Balloon, Moon Juice and Wayne And The Blind Man are among the most intriguing songs I've heard in a while. By its nature cult music,but rich music too.'
Q magazine called the album 'beautifully seductive.'
Uncut gave the album 4 stars and wrote 'High Llamas guitarist's best solo album to date.
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