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Staff IconAudible - Sky Signal (Cover Artwork)

Audible

Sky Signal (2005)
Polyvinyl Records

Reviewer Rating:


Contributed by: Jesse
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Published on March 8th 2005


The fact that it's on Polyvinyl should give you a clear inclination of what their overall sound is like and if you are going to like them or not. The following statement is slightly more specific: if you are expecting anything more than standard, solid, indie pop, then Audible is not for you. Not saying that that's a bad thing. I mean, who doesn't appreciate smooth indie pop from time to time?

Musically, I would say that the vocals are reminiscent of Elliott Smith, in the sense that they are breathy and light. Attitudinally (yes, it's a word), they are a bright, poppy band with positive feelings flowing through, yet the band still has a folk twinge to it, like Smith himself, though it would be wrong to categorize them as a non-depressed Elliott Smith. Regardless, comparisons to other groups are helpful to some, and despised by others, so I'll try to describe their sound a tad more specifically.

Generally, there is an acoustic guitar keeping a four chord pattern with the bass playing heavily on 1 and 3 and an electric guitar, piano, and other keys playing a riff over it. Layered, like on a Springsteen tune (oh crap, here come the comparisons again). Maybe you'd liken it to the shift the Promise Ring made to Wood/Water, or the Get Up Kids On A Wire. Both comparisons are valid and viable, yet for me Audible stands as something best suited for the background music at a small get-together. It's got parts distinct enough to stand out while being played in the background, but is soft enough to play loud and not be distracting. Maybe the conversation would be something like:

"Hey, what's up?"
"Not much, been a while since I've seen you."
"Yeah, got any beer?"
"Yep, in the fridge."
"Hey, what is this playing?"
"The new Audible record."
"It's nice."
"Yeah, I like it. It's not revolutionary, but it suits my mood."
"Yeah. Hey, should I grab one for you too?"
"Sure, man."

Songs like "October Song" and the title track "Sky Signal" keep you entertained while the "Born To Run" similar riff from "Sunday Bell" keeps my toe tapping. Semi-experimentalism shines through "Five Pirates" and "Chase The Kids Away," at times, seems like an Elliott Smith B-side. After a brief push away from the initial sound of the album, Audible brings it all back around with "Sound Makes a Circle" and "Finally Found."

Overall, not something I would purchase myself, but definitely something I could stand listening to a few times.



People who liked this also liked:
Jason Collett - Here's to Being HereThe Makai - The End of All You KnowWarren Ellis - Crooked Little Vein [book]Pretty Boy Thorson & the Falling Angels - Ain't It FunnyBlonde Redhead - 2331 Knots - The Days and Nights of Everything AnywhereOf Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?The Brokedowns - These Colors Don't Run (The Musical)Joe Lally - There to HereTin Armor - A Better Place Than I Have Been

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    Jesse (March 9, 2005)

    Oh okay.

    Archangel (March 9, 2005)

    No, I caught the reference. I remember the review and I still think it's bad.

    I'm just saying that the actual comment of "no smoke = no drink, also you suck" is just weak.

    LevitateME (March 9, 2005)

    that infamous review

    Jesse (March 8, 2005)

    That was a throwback to my Planes Mistaken for Stars review.

    Archangel (March 8, 2005)

    "Stupid review... If you can't handle second hand smoke you probably shouldn't be drinking at all... yeah, it's a strech but you're still a terrible reviewer who thinks that you're clever.... piss off"

    What the hell? That doesn't even make sense.

    UberShep (March 8, 2005)

    score's for elliot smith

    Inspection12e (March 8, 2005)

    I agree with Jesse.

    Now hell freezes over.

    If you like this album I suggest picking up both of their splits.

    Jesse (March 8, 2005)

    I don't drink. At all. This was a sample conversation between two made up people.

    Anonymous (March 8, 2005)

    im assuming, or hoping rather, actually i will shoot people if this is the band from miami. from the sound of the review its not

    Anonymous (March 8, 2005)

    Stupid review... If you can't handle second hand smoke you probably shouldn't be drinking at all... yeah, it's a strech but you're still a terrible reviewer who thinks that you're clever.... piss off

    Anonymous (March 8, 2005)

    does this really sound anything like "On A Wire" GUK? if so, then i'd really like to hear this.

    lou (March 8, 2005)

    PS - i hope everyone who bitches about jesse's reviews reads this so they'll temporarily stop complaining.

    Kenjamin (March 8, 2005)

    i liked that review for whatever reason. Although I do make it a point to read your reviews regardless of band, as i find them entertaining.

    lou (March 8, 2005)

    congratulations. happy 119th.

    Jesse (March 8, 2005)

    My 119 review. Oh what a happy day this is.

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