Review Summary: Generic screamo with scattered goodies.
She Watched the Sky. A Skylit Drives first entry into the highly saturated post-hardcore/screamo scene and their only release with former lead vocalist Jordan Blake. So what do these slightly feminine boys have to offer the scene other than their edgy hair and crazy piercings? Well let us find out shall we?
The albums opener, "Ability to Create a War", immediately allows the band to play to their strengths starting off with an eerie synth effect before low growls and powerful drums being the backbone of the track. "Drown the City" showcases Jordans voice soaring into high pitched realms usually entered by the likes of Claudio Sanchez. The layered screams, while effective fail to be anything more than the average screamo affair. Throughout the album it becomes apparent that the drumming is the bands key ingredient to success. The guitar while for the most part is as ineffective as the generic intertwining of singing and screaming does get it's shining moment on the track, "The Past the Love the Memories". The track opens with a prog influenced chord sequence before falling into a more subdued rain drop effect. The song may very well be the highlight of the album and while the lyrics-
Handling the things I promised
Mixed in with the roses that were pressed against the case that holds,
The case that holds your life.
And I'll take care of her,
And I'll take care of everything from what you left behind
while far from original are granted a pass owing to the powerful use of emotion conveyed in Jordans voice. Showing a more balanced side of the bands output lies in the title track. The layered screams seem more in place next to the high pitched vocalist and the furious drumming is highlighted next to the clever use of multiple piano fills. "According to Columbus..." closes the Ep by incorporating more prog type guitar melodies that the band might have put to better use had they realized its potential but ultimately fails do to the overuse of generic screaming. The lead singer can also be faulted on the track as towards the end his voice falls somewhere below a less talented Sonny Moore (and he's no 1st place trophy winner either).
So now we're back where we started. The band show their strengths well, the drumming is thoroughly blazing and furiously played and the vocals for the most part avoid the usual whiny emo affair many find annoying. However the band also allow their faults to shine through just the same. The screams are more often than not generic and for the most part the guitar playing is compiled of slashing power chords but show promise when they branch out into more technical territory. And the bass? Well let's just say the drumming covers that.
Recommended Tracks
The Past, The Love, The Memories
Drown The City
A Reason For Broken Wings
