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Well that dog. is making a comeback, or at least a reunion, so I decided to give this album a go. I try to listen to lots of new music but sometimes I'll talk about albums that I am familiar with already, and in this case one that I haven't heard in ages. The first thing I notice whenever I listen to that dog. is the almost monotone vocals, with the some instances where it almost seems like lead singer, Anna Waronker is talking rather than singing, but what may be seen as imperfection is what gives that dog. the perfect tone and a unique sound. The other distinct feature of this band, especially in this album, are the melodic backing vocals which contrast the lead and really create great layers in the sound and that alone is enough to bring this album to the favor of my ears.
The album, just like their other music combines punky guitar with some poppy twists here and there to make a perfect combination for their 90’s alt sound. I would say that they capture the sound of their era as good as any, and what a good era it was (in my eyes [or ears?] at least). The lyrics really make me relate with Waronker and just like a good movie, this collection of songs seem to tie together and really makes me root for her with hopes that there will be a happy ending to her story. The hopeless optimism and the “so it goes” attitude of the lyrics are realistic and relatable for the average person aimlessly wandering this planet in search of love. It’s an attitude that I think many only wish that they could adopt, a melancholy realism that’s always looking forward. The best tracks surprisingly come towards the end of the album where things really pick up and close out with the final anthem Until the Day I Die which sums up all of these little snippets throughout the album into one theme. You think that she’s giving up, but she’s not, she’s just realizing that some things are just meant to be, no matter how hard you try.
Wow, I sure over-analyzed that one. It's just music!
Verdict: MUST HAVE. I love this album and it just plays so smoothly that I can go through multiple listens without even realizing it. Waronker’s vocals are soothing and just allow you to escape and see things from her point of view.
Verdict: LISTEN. It's not something I'd put on for a drive down the coast or a nice relaxing walk, but perhaps it's more suited for laying around on my bed after a long day of work or class when your head's in that weird place that can't be described. I don't love it, but I don't love Eraserhead either, yet I still get myself up to watch it for some reason.
So on my first listen through Skying, I immediately noticed that this record has a much cleaner sound and the vocals are a bit more melodic than their first album, Strange House. I haven't actually listened to their second full-length, Primary Colours yet, but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that I like this new sound better (though I did really like Strange House a lot). Whereas their older tracks were just simple, noisy garage rock, Skying brings a more complex set of tunes to the plate with it's updated 80's sound, synths and all. I guess that it makes me uncool that my favorite track is Still Life, which seems to be the most popular song from the album, but how can I NOT like a song with such a Breakfast Club feel to it? You understand me if you've heard it, the similarities to Simple Minds' 80's hit are pretty apparent to my ears (in a GOOD way though!). The other tracks that stuck out to me were Dive In, which is my co-favorite track, the album opener, Changing the Rain and the two 8-minute songs near the end (Moving Further Away & Oceans Burning) of the album really helped wrap the album up nicely and gave off a kind of Stone Roses vibe, to me at least.
Well, that's all I got this time around, hope I didn't just totally waste your time! If I did, you can have your money back!
The Verdict: BUY. It's good. I wouldn't say this is a spectacular album but I can't say there is a single track I disliked.
So this is my blog. I decided that it would be a fun little project to keep me busy when I have nothing to do. I try to listen to as much music as humanly possible and I'm always on the lookout for new bands. It's not that I'm a manic hipster frantically looking for a band in order to claim superiority, it's just that I believe that there are so many people out there making great music that is getting overlooked.
So my goal is to listen to a new record and post a quick little review every single day. I know this may not always happen but I'm going to try, even if nobody reads this. I'm posting this for everybody out there who wants to talk about music but I'm also here to entertain myself so I may get a little critical and have some fun at the expense of some bands or musicians. Please know that I'm just having a little fun and as someone who's into the arts myself I know that not everybody is going to like what you do, me included. There is somebody out there is listening to every band/musician, no matter how bad you (or I) think they are or else they wouldn't still be making music!
Please suggest me some new music to listen to! I try to listen to as many different genres as possible, but I mostly enjoy indie, folk and some good old punk rock.
I'll try out almost anything so give me something weird. Some options are...
Your favorite album from your favorite band. Your least favorite album of all time. Something new you just picked up. An old overlooked album you just got around to listening to. A local band from your hometown. Your own band. Anything ever recorded ever.
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