This CD’s reputation preceeded it, and as with any release I wasn’t sure what to expect from that. It comes in an unassuming package, minimising cost meaning you can pick this little treasure up for four of your English.
Before I begin, I’ll explain that
Skylar is to
Howards Alias as
BabyBoom is to
Sonic Boom Six, or
Satori is to
Rx Bandits (very much like the latter comparison, actually). A more laid back sound not completely deserting the original but much more reggae and ska based. The alternative rock aspect of Howards Alias has been left far behind on their last two albums, where, in my opinion, it belongs.
When track seven comes on your ears will perk up as you hear one of the most unmistakable horn riffs known to man and you’ll say “hey I’ve heard this band before!” then realise it’s a cover of a track from The Chameleon Script. That being one of my favourite albums ever, I would’ve been sceptical at such an attempt, but it’s amazing.
I listened to this album for a few weeks non-stop, occasionally cringing at the clichéd lyrics, especially on True Sounds. But eventually the melodies will just wash over you and it wouldn’t matter if Matt had opened up a Mr Men book and read it out over the mellow rhythms and subtle diversions of these songs, you’d be lulled into submission anyway.
Now that Skylar have been picked up by Do The Dog with a re-recording of this album somewhere on the horizon, my ideal result would be something like the
BOTAR EP where Matt spills his guts onto paper about why he wrote each song. Most of them are self explanatory, but as Matt seems like an enigma wrapped in a riddle I think liner notes like that could still be insightful. And what’s up with the track “Howards Alias”? Was it a song written for the band of the same name, or about the band, or totally unrelated? Answers on a postcard.
After reading that this CD was recorded after just a few practices, the mind boggles at how this band can be so good. They just seem to be able to slot together, and if they can get over their hurdle of unreliability Skylar will go down a storm.
