The Ballasted Orchestra

Untitled

The Ballasted Orchestra is the third studio album by Stars of the Lid and their first to have its initial release on Kranky Records. It was released simultaneously as a double LP and a single CD, though the vinyl is now out of print. The album features minimal, droning compositions, of varied length, some of which blend into each other. The track "Taphead" is a reference to the Talk Talk song of the same name while "Music for Twin Peaks Episode #30" parts I and II were named as a tribute to the cult TV show.

Critical Reaction

The album was generally praised by critics. Stephen Cook, writing for All Music Guide, stated:

Taking in such ambient milestones as Brian Eno's Apollo recording, Stars of the Lid's Brian McBride and Adam Wiltzie fashion eight floating gems with touches of industrial noise and movie soundtrack atmospherics. No drums or clanging guitars here, just darkish, elegiac slabs of ethereal sound taking up 12 to 18 minutes at a pop. The overall effect is both calming and provocative.

Track listing

Double LP

Total Running Length: 86:56

Lid 1

1. "Central Texas"
2. "Sun Drugs"
3. "24 Inch Cymbal"

Running Length: 22:04

Lid 2

1. "Down II"
2. "Taphead"
3. "Fucked Up (3:57 A.M.)"

Running Length: 22:27

Lid 3

1. "Music for Twin Peaks Episode #30 Pt. I"
2. "Music for Twin Peaks Episode #30 Pt. II"

Running Length: 21:33

Lid 4

1. "The Artificial Pine Arch Song"

Running Length: 20:52

CD

Total Running Length: 78:04

1. "Central Texas" - 3:43
2. "Sun Drugs" - 12:20
3. "Down II" - 1:22
4. "Taphead" - 12.34
5. "Fucked Up (3:57 A.M.) - 8:32
6. "Music For Twin Peaks Episode # 30 Part I" - 8:01
7. "Music For Twin Peaks Episode # 30 Part II" - 13:32
8. "The Artificial Pine Arch Song" - 18:00