Her Bright Skies are a Swedish post-hardcore band based in Jönköping.
They recently finished their second tour around the United States, before releasing their third album “Rivals.” We had a listen:
The upper- and middle classed rich people of New York live around the Forest Hills area of Queens. This was The Ramones first stomping ground in ‘74.
Of course, Malcolm McLaren was a North London art college drop-out. Joe Strummer went to the City of London Freeman’s School in leafy Surrey (UK) – his father was a diplomat.
Dave Vanian from The Damned came from Hertfordhsire – from the middle-class ‘New Town‘ of Hemel Hempstead. So where were the working class punk heroes? Perhaps they have never actually existed…
But, nevertheless, the opening track on the ‘RIVALS’ album – is titled ‘Working Class Punx’ and it honours those semi-fictional heroes. It is stained through-and-through with sheep-dip guitars, violet vocals and grubby kitchen-sink drama. “Just call us .. working class punks…” screams Jaybee. This is so burning fast that it will shake you into a dither of excitement.
‘Up & Away’ groans and the beat hacksaws. The attitude is glorious and far-reaching – bringing to mind (very) early Aerosmith. This is a exceptionally well crafted.
‘Bonnie & Clyde (The Revolution)’ is the lead single from the album. A drum ticking see-sawing beat accompanies the fickle vocal-line. This creeps into your veins and begins to play havoc with your synapses. This song is bubbling – but it is not so surprising as it might be … The story is hackneyed – (yawn) a young couple (sick of the world) wants to get away from it all … Yes, it’s a summer song & yes, it’s romantic – but haven’t we heard all this before?
No doubt it will be a ‘big hitter’ though – but it’s too ambrosial and too fragrant (in our mind) to be a proper classic.
‘Lovekills’ is a lot faster & skilled. But then ‘Rivals’ leans in and surprises you with its eloquent piano accompaniment and those deep levels of pain that can be glimpsed beneath a surface of cloud and smoke. This is cleverly created – and deep – a studied composition about the quality of life.
‘I’ll Be For You’ is also gentle and melodious . And the slow pace gives you a breather before smashing you with ‘You Are The Ones’. This track is truly anthemic. The copious guitars cradle the passionate lyrics. This paints the picture of a young punk who is trying to be the best that he can be …. in a world that only expects failure.
The album closes with ‘Sweet, Sweet Revenge’ which has the best guitar-work of all – from Nikki and Pete – and some tall and enormously successful vocal parts – in contrast with some growling dirty riffs and lots of low-low bass-notes (Jolle).
This is a rich and complex pop-punk album from a very talented team. What it lacks in caustic sentiment – it makes up for in generously crafted musicianship.
So exciting – you will feel your pizzle fizzing as you listen to it.
@neilmach © 2014
Link:
https://www.facebook.com/HerBrightSkiesFanPage
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