OFFICIAL: https://skyorchid.net/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/skyorchidband
Written
by Jay Snyder, posted by blog admin
Brothers
from Kansas, Gabriel (vocals, guitar, keyboards) and Daniel Traknyak (drums and
percussion) have been playing together for over a decade now. Though their journey has included other band
members at different times, they’ve now settled on a duo formation and the
name, Sky Orchid. Oculus is their debut and some of the music dates back to at least
seven years ago. This is obviously a
labor of love for this familial twosome and as a result the music benefits from
chemistry, collaboration and cohesiveness.
Opener
“The River” has huge, soulful vocal melodies balancing atop a rumbling
foundation of tom drums, ambient keyboards and a crescendo of soaring singing
brushing shoulders with sturdy electric guitar riffs. It’s an atmospheric trip that dig in deep
with its pulsating musical core that favors a low frequency bass throb over a
minor-key romp fronted by the guitar.
“Sneakers” dwells in an ebbing, flowing wash of dub with a twinkling
guitar intro giving way to programmed beats, washes of synth and vibrant
vocals. Electronically distorted snare
enters midway through as the music ascends to symphonic, baroque rock with a
foundation of guitar/drums that returns the tune to organic waters. This difference split makes for a nice
division between distinct vibes and in certain segments both the digital band
and the rock band personas meet in a glorious melding of
mindsets.
“In
the Fire (Part 1)” grooves on ripping post-rock guitar chords, taut backbeats
and stellar harmony-intensive vocals that sounds like a less slacker-rock
inspired version of Radiohead. Not that
“slacker-rock” is a band thing but this stuff feels more positive while never
dropping into down mode. Dynamic rises
of sizzling guitar voltage and rocked-out snare beats give this number some
much needed juice during the rock-solid choruses. Saving the symphonic layering for the finale,
“Wildfire” is a slow-burning scorcher of acoustic guitars, minimalist
percussion and killer R & B leaned vocal styling that really scores a
direct hit right in the eardrums.
Adopting a punk-rock pacing “I’ll Stop the World (Part 2)” is a
high-energy merger of new wave and rock n’ roll with excellent atmospheric
guitar licks, slower musical breaks highlight the fast parts and a lot of
variety packed into its less than 4 minutes of playtime. The molten crawl of “Lex” drapes its guitar
work in a healthy supply of reverb/delay as it cautiously, deliberately
ratchets up to a noisy finale; a far cry from its dark, downbeat
beginnings.
The
oldest composition from the brothers’ repertoire “Breathe Easy” makes lyrical
references to Bob Marley and even employs funky guitar lines that wouldn’t be
out of place for reggae. Intersecting
these diving grooves are runs of heavier riffing, punk-laden speed-up and tuneful
indie guitar licks. “Take It All” flirts
with Sublime’s patented style while the bleary-eyed and piano driven gothic
swagger of “Yesterday” proves a fitting lead-in to playful noisy rock closer,
“Fortify.” Sky Orchid is given a
smashing introduction to the music scene at large with Oculus. Utilizing multiple
styles and a no-holds barred song composition ethic, the 10 tunes all told here
keep you guessing as to where the influences are coming from. Points for originality in 2018 and this album
is certainly worth a pick-up.
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