Post by jptheprofessor on Dec 5, 2005 0:09:33 GMT -5
THE APRIL SKIES – FLOOD (WIAB Records) The April Skies’ story began in 1988, when post-punk alternative rock and pop was achieving popularity and acclaim. The group’s hometown Hershey, PA contemporaries The Ocean Blue had inked a national recording deal, and The April Skies sharpened their own alternative-rooted sound in the hopes of a similar fortune. Although the record deal never happened, the group developed their chops and flourished on regional nightclub and college stages. The April Skies stepped away from performing in 1998, but reconvened in 2002 and released The Breathe EP. This year, The April Skies have issued their latest full-length release, Flood, featuring ten songs rooted in the 80’s alternative rock tradition of REM, Elvis Costello, U2 and The Cure. But while their sound is 80’s-rooted, don’t label this band as nostalgic or retro; The April Skies are the real deal here. The songs are clever, well-honed melodies that grow stronger with repeated listens; anchored in catchy pop hooks and developed into accomplished songcraft. Each tune offers a different tempo, mood and texture; ranging from the gradually escalating opener “322” to the faster-paced “Long Way Down;” from the keyboard-geared pop of “Something to Shine About” to the Byrds-styled guitar psychedelia of “A Game;” and from the melodramatic “Shaking The Day” to the tranquil album closer “I Will Surround You.” These compositions are cohesively tied together by a consistent, intertwining wall of electric and acoustic guitars and keys, and topped by the rugged, reserved vocal overtones of singer/guitarist/lyricist Jake Crawford. Jeff Feltenberger’s production and Lenny Kravitz engineer Tom “T-bone” Edmonds’ mix allow the instrumental components to have their own individual, layered voices; yet weave together and collectively drive the sound forward as a unified whole. The end result is a confident, focused, polished album that recalls its 80’s alternative upbringing without parroting it. The April Skies prove they are accomplished artists of their chosen style and sound on Flood, and deliver a quality album that’s easily catchy yet enduringly alluring. (The album can be obtained by visiting the group’s website, www.theaprilskies.com.)