"...The album's six songs are (rather lamely) titled numerically, from "One" to "Six" according to their position in the track sequence. Still, something about such an unpretentious naming scheme suggests a certain amount of faith in each song's ability to build a rapport with listeners, even without a clever title. On this score, The Autumn Project succeed. La Luna deftly explores the perilous shoals of instrumental post-rock, creating beautifully dissonant sonic collages -- gorgeous, intense pieces..."

Robert Voyer - Splendid
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The Autumn Project "La Luna de Negra" (10.19.2004 IndieWorkshop.com)

The Autumn Project is an instrumental trio from Des Moines, Iowa in the tradition of God Speed You Black Emperor! and Mogwai. If either of those bands are to your liking this will definitely be up your alley. Very moody and dynamic with soaring delay guitar work and sparse moments of minimal and textured sounds that burst into a loud climax of thundering drums and guitars. 

This would be something that you’d listen to driving late at night alone or playing your 400th hour of final fantasy on play station, X-box or whatever the kids do nowadays (if you’re into that sort of thing!). Released on their own label Zurecords, La Luna de Negra is a solid release that mirrors some of the qualities of other instrumental bands while bringing they’re own aspects of those sounds to the table. At times the trios songs have a really dark and sinister feeling, which differs from the likes of the more lushly instrumented and epically cinematic feelings of God Speed You Black Emperor!. The Autumn Project also delve into some heavy rhythms similar to A Minor Forest or Mogwai at times, as they do on the record’s second track (none of the songs have a title, come on guys you named your band, came up with a weird album title, and even named your own record label! ). 

Overall a very interesting take on a somewhat limited genre. It always seems to me that many bands tackling the instrumental task fall into the category of a band that is a lot of fun to be in, but not necessarily all that fun to listen to. The Autumn Project thankfully does not fall into that category, and provide an interesting listen in La Luna de Negra. I would be very interested to see how these songs translate live.
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La Luna de Negra presents the listener with the lost art of epic form.  Cinematic in style with recurring themes and motifs take the listener to new ground and return to a familiar reference point throughout the 6 tracks.  Clocking in at over an hour, this epic album is a great accomplishment and a worthy aural journey.  The album is predominantly instrumental with obscure vocal samples sparsely interspersed toward the end of the last track.  There are moments of driving rhythmic beats with a soaring guitar lead - a wonderful baritone guitar is heard throughout and gives The Autumn Project it's unique, aged - in a good way, like a fine wine, robust sound.  There is a great depth to the sonic scape in this album as well.  At times it is mesmerizing, minimal and dreamy - and then evolves into a swirlling driving wall of sound.  For an interesting, satisfying aural journey - I highly recommend The Autum Project's "La Luna de Negra" - SterlingSound
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...The Autumn project plays slow, unearthly music that is at times so lush that you forget they are but three people armed with guitar, bass, drums and keyboards... This is emotional music that puts you into a trance with visions of Arctic floes and glacial movement...."

Punk Planet Issue #66
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