poppedmusic

Skying

Released 11th July 2011

It has to be said that I haven’t always been the biggest fan of The Horrors, I had their début album even went to the effort to get them to sign it and then promptly gave it away to a proper fan. There are always times when you wish that you had held on to something and now is that time. If only because I would have liked to have given it one more play through a decent sound system rather than listening to a low quality mp3 rip. On reflection I actually really liked tracks such as Gloves and Draw Japan but it was all just a little heavy. I then committed another sin, and that was not to even listen to Primary Colours, their second album. Mainly based on the fact I wasn’t sure I’d like it. Yes yes, I am fully aware that this is the highest of crimes to commit for a music reviewer, but time sort of slipped by and then it was too late and I’ve only just given it a listen. I was right though, I don’t like it, and can’t really see what all the fuss was about.

So then what made me decide to listen to Skying I hear you ask. Well if I’m honest it’s the simple fact that upon listening to the single, Still Life, my ears heard something that lit up my mind. It is possibly the most accessible of any Horrors track I’ve ever heard and not only that but it is actually a beautiful song. It’s almost difficult to listen to this song and associate them as being the same band that made Strange House. As musicians and songwriters they have developed and matured and continued to experiment with their sounds, lyrics and production to such a degree that I am genuinely impressed. Not many bands are quite as successful in doing this and whilst I’m sure there will be old fans who are hugely disappointed with this more electronic and experimental sound over the dirty heavy punk sounds of the good old days, I hope they will appreciate what it takes for a band to progress and leave behind such a distinctive sound for another. Even the album opener, Changing The Rain, has me totally hooked and I admittedly did give it two full listens before letting myself continue on with the album. This is not a regular habit for me and so it must really be that I’m falling for these Horror’s charms after all.

Endless Blue really reminds me of another song but I can’t for the life of me put my finger on what it is, whatever it is though it’s something I like. It also has quite a David Bowie-esque quality to some of the vocal parts and this is really does get a huge thumbs up from me. I adore how it starts, so relaxing with an acid jazz feel and then it kicks in with a nice heavy guitar like a new song just decides to run rampage all over it, but without causing huge damage. It’s actually one of my favourite tracks on the album and probably for the exact reason. I can’t wait to be able to just stick this on repeat for a good half hour or so (yes I do have a habit of doing this when I fall in love with a track). On a total contrast to my love of Endless Blue is my apathy for Ocean’s Burning. What a shame that is too because it’s the album closer and for me an album closer is just as important as it’s opener; it needs to make me want to listen on, to start the album, to finish the album and start all over again. I think, to be fair, that it might turn out to be a bit of a grower and I’ve not had ample time to digest and appreciate it in full, especially when I keep going over the tracks I really do like. I can say one thing though, this album flows exceptionally well and there doesn’t feel like there’s any filler. I have to say that I’m totally and utterly converted now.