 Skywave
"Synthstatic" CD
Alison
/ Blisscent
Genres: shoegazer, dream rock, space rock
Blisscent Records
11 S. Angell St. #486
Providence, RI 02906
May 3 - 9 2004 |
No matter how you look at it, Synthstatic is a fine
album. Skywave's sound, a sort of fiery, energy-boosted
mutation of shoegazer, will be perfect for those who like crossing
their feedback-drenched pop with explosive rhythms and rock-charged
guitars. Over this disc's fourteen track duration, the listener
is treated to a wide panoply of melodies and atmospheres - be it a
perfect, uplifting chorus or an almost devious slice of toe-tapping
rock.
While this type of music is certainly nothing new, Skywave
do it with such precision and inspiration that you can't help but be
impressed. Take "Here She Comes," for example.
It's a noisy, fuzzy tune that juxtaposes dreamy vocals over a revving,
energetic guitar/bass/drum/synth background. It has a strong Jesus
and Mary Chain quality to it - and its production values and
melodic sensibility have a strong underground eighties feel to
them. "Nothing Left To Say," meanwhile, represents the
other side of Skywave - it's much more relaxed and calming,
filled with walls of guitar feedback and a wonderful chorus that
wouldn't sound out of place on a My Bloody Valentine album.
There are many other highlights on this disc, and few moments of
mediocrity. Occasionally Skywave falls into the trap of
basing a song on an uninteresting melody or bland atmosphere -
especially in the later parts of the disc, with tracks such as
"Adore" and "I Believe," However, true dream rock fans
will undoubtedly be pleased to find Synthstatic to be one of
the genre's best modern achievements.
89%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 14 tracks, distributed by the
label, released 2003] |
