Temporal: Charting the Sonic Shifts of Love Spirals Downwards Career

Temporal: A Collection of Music Past & Present captured the full arc of Love Spirals Downwards’ career, showcasing their evolution from ethereal dream pop to ambient electronica, trip-hop, and drum & bass. As Ryan Lum, the multi-instrumentalist behind the band, noted in a 2000 RadioSpy interview, the group was “the first and only for a lot of things on Projekt,” and their top-selling status on the darkwave label allowed them significant artistic freedom. Released by Projekt Records in 2000, the album featured 13 tracks compiled and mastered by Lum, including rare tracks, remixes, and a live recording of “Subsequently.” Initially released on CD, the album was later added to iTunes in 2004 and made its Bandcamp debut in 2019 with three additional bonus tracks and high-quality digital audio.

Projekt Records’ official album PR described the album’s scope:

“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.”

The transition from ethereal/shoegazer/dream-pop to downtempo/drum ‘n’ bass unfolds more smoothly before the ear than the eye, a point that Sean Flinn of RadioSpy highlighted in his review, noting that

“While technically not a ‘greatest hits’ album, Temporal takes on the not-so-obvious task of charting the band’s shift in sound.”

Ryan Lum & Suzanne Perry by Betty Cobb 1998

Sonic Evolution: From Dream Pop to Drum & Bass

Love Spirals Downwards’ early releases, Idylls and Ardor, established them as leaders of Projekt’s ethereal music scene, blending the enigmatic dream pop of Cocteau Twins and medieval mystery of Dead Can Dance with shoegaze, ambient, and acoustic folk elements. Jason Moore of Opus Zine described this era as follows:

“The band’s debut, Idylls, and follow-up, Ardor, evoke all that’s good and golden about the vaunted ‘4AD sound’ pioneered by Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, and This Mortal Coil.”

By the time Flux (1998) was released, Ryan Lum had fully embraced breakbeats and electronica, incorporating drum & bass and trip-hop into Love Spirals Downwards’ ethereal sound. As he explained in a 2000 RadioSpy interview regarding his attraction to drum ‘n’ bass,

“It’s rare that you see a whole genre of music that’s dedicated to atmosphere. And when I found that years back, it was like, ‘Yes! Right on! I can do this.’”

Temporal served as a way to showcase this evolution alongside their earlier work. As Lum explained in a 2000 interview with Side-Line Magazine:

“Temporal shows the progress of the music over time; the similarities as well as the differences… People like to talk about the sound change for the band, but really, it’s been a gradual process. The music reflects the changes in our lives and interests over time, and this album kinda sums that up. We aren’t static people, and Love Spirals Downwards is not a static band; everything is merely temporal.”

Despite their sonic evolution and foray into electronic music with Flux, Love Spirals Downwards often found themselves categorized within the gothic music scene, largely due to their long association with Projekt Records. This was a point of mild frustration for Ryan Lum, who commented in the Side-Line Magazine interview:

“‘Goth’ is a term that’s haunted us our whole career. We never intended our music to be gothic, but that has been the scene which has supported us most over the years… If someone hears “Misunderstood” and still wants to call us a goth band, whatever! We know we’ve never been easy to categorize. We don’t even know what to call the music ourselves!”

As Lum noted, this categorization didn’t always align with their artistic intentions. Nevertheless, Temporal‘s carefully chosen tracklist aimed to showcase the full spectrum of their sound, offering a more comprehensive view beyond any single genre label.

Temporal Tracklist Highlights

Temporal features a carefully curated selection of tracks spanning Love Spirals Downwards’ career, including rare and previously unreleased material. Regarding the selection process, Ryan Lum stated in the Side-Line Magazine interview, “I basically went through all the masters and picked songs that I especially liked, or thought would be of interest to fans because they were hard to find.” This approach resulted in a collection that offers both familiar favorites and hidden gems.

The album opens with a nod to their more recent electronic explorations, featuring two remixes from their 1998 album, Flux. Regarding the remixing process for Temporal, Lum mentioned in the Side-Line interview:

“I just called up the original recordings and began remixing them from there. I kept some of the original tracks, created new tracks, cut and pasted some things, and mixed it up. Remixing is strange, because it’s similar to writing a new song, but using things that already exist.”

These remixes offer fresh perspectives on tracks that already represented a significant shift in the band’s sound.

“Alicia (Remix)” – This 1999 remix of the flamenco-infused Spanish-language drum & bass track from Flux (1998) featuring Rodney Rodriguez on acoustic guitar emphasized rhythm and atmospheric pads over vocal harmonies. It appeared on the Diva X Machina 3 (2000) compilation. On the independently released Flux Deluxe Edition (2023) the song title was amended to “Alicia (Temporal Mix).”

“Misunderstood (I’ll Always Love You Remix)” – Originally from Flux (1998), this 1999 remix added saxophone by Doron Orenstein, showcasing Lum’s first experiment with jazz-step drum ‘n’ bass. Lum would later further explore this genre with Orenstein and vocalist Anji Bee on the Ecstatic EP (2001). On the Flux Deluxe Edition (2023) the song title was amended to “I’ll Always Love You (Temporal Mix).”

“Asleep” – A near-instrumental track created between Ever and Flux, originally appearing on Precipice Recordings Volume 1 (1998) compilation, Lum used a reversed sample of Perry’s voice played on a sequencer, creating a hypnotic, ambient texture. In their Temporal review, Magnet described “Asleep” as a ‘moodist masterwork.'”

“Mediterranea” – Originally released on Across This Gray Land 3 (1991), this track became a live staple and defined the band’s early 4AD-inspired sound with Perry glossolalic vocals. An acoustic version appears on the independently released Love Spirals Downwards Live (2014).

“Ladonna Dissima” – Featured on Idylls (1992), this track was later included on Beneath the Icy Floe Vol. 2 (1994). Perry’s meditative repetition of the Italian phrase ‘la donna più bellissima’ (‘the most beautiful lady’) combines with Lum’s ‘pulsating cold guitars and disjointed drum beats,’ as noted by XTROPY on Rate Your Music.

“Subsequently (Live)” – This live staple from from Ardor (1995) emphasized Perry’s emotive glossolalic vocals and Lum’s delicate acoustic guitar work. Compared to the version on Love Spirals Downwards: Live, this earlier mix featured a more prominent reverb effect, reflecting Lum’s evolving production techniques.

“Kykeon” – A dramatic track from Ardor, this song was a staple in the band’s live sets. Lum’s 1993 remix appeared on the legendary Silent Records compilation 50 Years of Sunshine and an Altered Mind flexi-disc included with issue 13″ –both released in 1993– as well as the later retrospective collection, Projekt 100: The Early Years, 1985 to 1995 Projekt Records (2000). An acoustic performance appears on Love Spirals Downwards Live (2014).

“Above the Lone” – This electro-acoustic track from Ever (1996) blended atmospheric guitars with electronic flourishes and became a staple in the band’s later live sets. One such performance appears on Love Spirals Downwards Live (2014), with another featured on the independently released Ever (Remastered Reissue) (2020).

Compilation and Compilation Albums

Several Temporal tracks had previously appeared on notable compilations:

50 Years of Sunshine (1993) – Included a remix of “Kykeon.”
Beneath the Icy Floe Vol. 2 (Projekt Records, 1994) featured “Ladonna Dissima.”
Beneath the Icy Floe – Projekt Records Sampler (Hyperium Records, 1995) featured “This Endris Night”
Projekt 100: The Early Years, 1985 to 1995 Projekt Records (2000) featured a remix of “Kykeon”
Within This Infinite Ocean (Borders, 2001) featured “This Endris Night”
Projekt: The New Face of Goth (Hot Topic, 2003) featured “This Endris Night”

Projekt’s Mixed Support for Sonic Expansion

Love Spirals Downwards’ shift from ethereal dream pop to electronic styles met with mixed support from Projekt Records. In a RadioSpy interview from March 17, 2000, Sean Flinn recounts Ryan Lum’s comments about how Projekt founder Sam Rosenthal responded to the band’s sound change:

“’It’s not his cup of tea,’ Lum said of Rosenthal’s reaction to the band’s shift in sound from “shoegazer,” the ethereal style of feedback- and synth-drenched pop defined by British bands like My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive and the Cocteau Twins, to drum ‘n’ bass. ‘But we more or less have artistic freedom to do as we please. I guess being the top seller on the label doesn’t hurt us in that,’ Lum said with a chuckle.”

Flinn also recounted Anji Bee’s observation that Rosenthal actually made a positive comment about the saxophone on a track from Temporal, indicating a gradual warming to their evolving sound. Lum further elaborated on Rosenthal’s initial concerns:

“[Rosenthal] thought that people were going to say that Projekt — or someone — sold out, and none of that came out. So I guess he thought it was cool. He got a little paranoid at first, but mellowed out.”

Although Projekt ultimately supported Flux despite Rosenthal’s initial hesitations, his acceptance of Love Spirals Downwards’ evolving sound had its limits. Lum’s 1999 Ecstatic EP, which sought to further explore the drum ‘n’ bass style introduced on Flux, was met with a suggestion to “cut out all the crazy drums.” That same year, a drum ‘n’ bass reimagining of “The Little Drummer Boy” recorded for Projekt’s holiday compilation series, Excelsis, was also rejected.

In August 1999, Lum had been revisiting DAT recordings of the duo’s live shows with the intention of releasing a refined live album, especially given the growing demand from fans. However, Projekt suggested prioritizing a career retrospective instead, leading Lum to focus on compiling Temporal: A Collection of Music Past & Present (2000), which ultimately included a live version of “Subsequently” from those archival deep dives. This decision highlights the dynamic tension between creative freedom and label expectations that became a defining aspect of Love Spirals Downwards’ story.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, Temporal received glowing reviews from various publications:

Amazon Editorial: “A greatest-hits disc after only four albums? Apparently, when you’re as good as Love Spirals Downwards, you can get away with it.”
Inside Borders: “Whether you’re relaxing in the dark tranquility of post-first-date bliss, or are swimming in the nostalgia of love lost, this album willhelp keep you warm.”
URB: “Temporal charts the band’s shift in sound, a collection which looks back through the haze… showcasing an increasingly ambient sensibility. It’s all very lovely, a nice sound to chill to after a hard night of pounding kick drums.”
Magnet: “This retrospective succeeds on a variety of cosmic levels, with lushly crafted dreamscapes that sit proudly alongside Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance.”
Outburn: “I can’t think of any ethereal band more sonically enchanting or musically daring than Love Spirals Downwards. Hearing early songs like the tenebrous ‘Ladonna Dissima’ illustrates how versatile and adventurous the duo is.”
Side-Line Magazine: “I love anything this band puts out. This collection of works is no exception. A must-have for any Love Spirals Downwards fan.”
Satan Stole My Teddybear: “Temporal is a successful best of collection due to the fact that it can both introduce new listeners to this duo’s wonderful and beautiful music as well as give longtime fans a bonus prize for picking it up. Neither redundant nor unnecessary, Temporal is much more eternal than the title suggests.”
Lexicon: “Smooth and relaxing as if on holiday. I highly recommend turning the lights down low, slipping in the tub, and relaxing to this new title from Projekt Records.

In addition to servicing publications for reviews and features, Projekt worked directly with retailers to promote the album.

Promotional Partnerships and In-Store Presence

Projekt Records actively sought to promote Temporal through retail partnerships, most notably with Borders Books and Music. In February 2000, coinciding with Valentine’s Day, Temporal was featured in listening stations at Borders locations nationwide. This promotional push was supported by a positive review in the February issue of Inside Borders store magazine. The review highlighted the album’s suitability for various romantic moods, describing Love Spirals Downwards as a duo with a “moody, enchanting universe” and noting Temporal‘s comprehensive overview of their sonic evolution, making it a perfect choice for Borders customers.

This wasn’t the band’s first interaction with Borders. Following their performance at the 1997 Projekt Festival in Chicago, Love Spirals Downwards held an in-store performance at a Borders Books and Music in Chicago the very next day, further connecting with their audience in a retail setting.

Beyond Borders, Projekt also secured listening station placements for Temporal in several other key independent and chain stores during February and March 2000:

Twist & Shout — Denver, CO (February 1 – February 29)
Rasputins — San Francisco, CA (February 1 – March 31)
Barnes & Noble — Nationwide (February 2 – February 29)
Virgin Sunset — Hollywood, CA (February 8 – February 22)
National Record Mart — nationwide (February 22 – March 13)
Borders — Nationwide (extended placement March 11 – May 16)

These efforts to place Temporal in listening stations across a variety of retailers demonstrate Projekt Records’ commitment to reaching a wider audience for this career-spanning collection.

Conclusion: A Fitting Farewell

Though Temporal marked the end of Love Spirals Downwards’ new releases, it stands as a testament to the band’s evolution and versatility. From their earliest ethereal recordings to beat-driven explorations, Lum and Perry crafted a body of work that remains timeless and deeply cherished by fans. As Ryan Lum reflected in a 2000 RadioSpy interview, despite the shift in sound over the years:

“The only thing that’s different with my music is some of the sounds and maybe a little bit of the style, but the vibe is still the same, meaning that it still comes from the same place. It’s still atmospheric music; it’s just done a little differently…It’s still the same ‘pretty’ music.”

Through Temporal, Love Spirals Downwards offered one final, glorious glimpse into their sonic journey—past, present, and beyond.

Despite Projekt Records’ decision to pass on the Live album, Ryan Lum felt it was important for fans to have access to these recordings of Love Spirals Downwards in their element. After the promotional cycle for Temporal concluded, he took matters into his own hands and released the Live album independently through MP3.com, maintaining artistic control over this aspect of the band’s history.