The Skies Revolt - Some Kind of Cosmonaut
Artist: The Skies Revolt
Album: Some Kind of Cosmonaut
Release Date: February 18, 2012
Label: None
Sometimes, music doesn't have to be pigeonholed into any formula to be taken in and enjoyed. The Skies Revolt are a band that follow that statement, harboring a spastic rock essence that is hard to really pinpoint as a particular genre. Sure, one could find some comparisons, albeit not as intense, to bands like The Chariot and Sleigh Bells, regarding their energy, but to simply compare them doesn't work. To give a brief description of The Skies Revolt, it would be layers of fluid, sometimes distortion-filled, guitars, thick synths, and a heavy rhythm section of bass and drums to pull it all together. Vocally, the band are fronted by Dave Prindle, who's vocals have a quirky edge that are overall quite unique, but at times, sound reminiscent of, dare I say it, Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra. Not only does Prindle sing and yell throughout the album, but there are also many gang vocal sections, which appear in songs such as "It's All in the Reflexes."
All in all, The Skies Revolt's new album, Some Kind of Cosmonaut, is a twelve track venture of sound and energy. There are heavy rockers that just dare you to headbang, especially "Endure and Renew," which teases the heavy music listeners with a 15 second auditory thrill of a looming instrumental breakdown, that fades into melodramatic synths. The wittily titled "She's Telling the Truth or At Least She Thinks She Is" is full of off-time measures in the chorus, while "False Glory and Praise" blatantly (and funnily enough) declares "I don't wanna be in a bubblegum pop protest band!" "It's All in the Reflexes" is perhaps the album's most infectious tune, with a very danceable rhythm, and an ecstatic vibe, that can't help but bring a smile to the listener's face, and sometimes, that's what music is all about.
Overall: The Skies Revolt are one of those novelty bands that only come by so often, with a completely unique sound, really unmatched by any other artist out there. Their new album, Some Kind of Cosmonaut, has the grit to capture the attention of a hardcore kid and enough ingenuity to make a hipster squirm. Talk about diversity. On the album's twelve tracks, The Skies Revolt give you something to dance to, mosh to, and most importantly, sing along with. The lyrics are completely clever, and leave you wondering what was just said, being truly something of their own. If you're looking for a completely distinctive, dancy, noisy rock album, then The Skies Revolt's Some Kind of Cosmonaut is for you, and seriously, who can go wrong with an album with song titles like "Beards Can't Hide?"
Rating: 8.5/10
Reviewed by Brooks Ginnan
Tracklisting:
- Fight Lose Stand
- The Empire
- It's All in the Reflexes
- She's Telling the Truth or At Least She Thinks She Is
- False Glory and Praise
- Single...ish
- Interlude
- Endure and Renew
- The Gentlemen's Duel
- Beards Can't Hide
- They Cry Out to Do Nothing
- We All Have to End
