Skying

It was John Peel who once complained about too many "white boys with guitars" in indie music and it has to be said that this pointed taunt could have been accurately aimed at the Horrors whose claim to fame was largely being the best set of Goth haircuts on offer and little else. As such it was refreshing to hear the massive step change that was their last album "Primary Colours" which saw them cut loose and prove that the style did not have to triumph over the substance, They picked up influences from German bands like Can and Neu and turned out big songs not least the epic "Sea within a sea". That said while "Primary Colours" was a really good album it still had "issues" as the band struggled to find its true identity with songs like "I can't control myself" actually sounding like a bunch of Suede impersonators on Karaoke night. The logical step for the band was therefore to deepen further the themes of "Sea within a sea" and produce a more darkly inspired album of 80s style synth pop with hooks big enough to catch a whale and with cool panache to spare. Indeed they do this so successfully that on the third track on this new album "I can see through you starts" you expect Phil Oakley from the Human League to sing out just before it mutates into something altogether more sinister.There is little doubt that some of the more purist Horrors fans may recoil and find this album a tad to commercial. "Endless Blue" for example is all lovely slabs of almost Miles Davis trumpet sounding synths until mid way through it breaks into a huge guitar riff not heard since Jesus and Mary Chain ruled the earth. And that is the point about "Skying" namely that the Horrors are a cunningly intelligent band able to subvert and deconstruct their own songs regularly avoiding the quiet of the harbour for the rough of the seas. More than that unlike "Primary colours" the quality dial hardly dips while at the same time the sort of arrogant swagger that you expect of a band hitting its prime is evidenced by the truckload. The great opener "Changing the rain" starts off sounding like a dance version of Kraftwerk and we are finally forced to face the reality that Faris Badwan has actually got a great singing voice. The forthcoming single "Still life" cries out to be a hit building from (dare I say it!) an Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark style riff to a thumping great pop song. Above all others it is "Wide eyed" which is the song that grabs you by the lapels and demands your attention. An atmospheric vocal over swaths of synths which echoes the great themes of David Bowie's "Low". Even more surprisingly it is a very sumptuous song with huge melodies and a concluding trumpet fade out. The only real nod to the Horrors of old is "Monica Gems" which is the weakest track on "Skying" not least since it does feel a little out of place with Faris Badwan again doing his best Brett Anderson impression. To be fair they set this misstep straight on the final track the seven minute plus "Oceans Burning" a giant swirling psychedelic ballad with a haunting backdrop which is packed full of so many ideas that the opposition must be seriously worried quite how good this band have become. To hammer the point home all this is confirmed a couple of tracks before with the albums big eight minute synth workout "Moving further away" which will become a staple of their live act to sit alongside "The Sea" with a keyboard riff so relentless you should be allowed to invoke anti-stalking legislation. "Skying" then is an great album that fully delivers on the huge promise of "Primary Colours" and on its evidence it is only a matter of time before the Horrors move out of the John Peel tent and head to the headline stage of Glastonbury.

At the end of 2011, I became aware of this album because it featured in several 'best album of the year' polls. I was surprised that 'The Horrors' had made an album that was so highly regarded by the music press, as I was less than impressed by their initial efforts and dismissed them as talentless Goth wannabes. Curious to know what all the fuss was about, I decided to buy this album and when I listened to it, I was amazed at just how good it was. They had created an album that borrowed freely from pop's past - as most great pop and rock music does - yet still managed to make it sound fresh and exciting. Though lead singer, Faris Badwan's murmured vocals make it difficult to glean meaning from the songs, it is still a joy to listen to, nonetheless.1. Changing The Rain - To my ears this sounds like something Primal Scream could have sang in their heyday. Psychedelic revival.2. You Said - "...You've got to give me love / you've got to give me more..." Possibly about a dying relationship, the music is glorious.3. I Can See Through You - An exhilarating sonic, euphoric adventure!4. Endless Blue - If I had to pick a favourite then this would be it. It starts with a floating, dreamy intro with horns before abruptly changing into a driving rock attack of guitar and drums. If you're into a bit of air guitar, then this is for you.5. Dive In - A song about a girl committing suicide?.. Whatever, it has a great shuffling beat and a thrilling, driving chorus.6. Still Life - "...When you wake up you will find me..." A spiritual awakening? Perhaps someone waiting for the person whom they love to share their feelings? Whatever its meaning, it is a lovely song with some great keyboards.7. Wild Eyed - "...I know all your secrets / I know all your lies..." A mellower track than most of the album.8. Moving Further Away - A fantastic song, propelled by a great synth line and a simple, three word chorus. It may well be the catchiest song on the album.9. Monica Gems - Not amongst my favourite songs, it does sound an awful lot like Suede.10. Oceans Burning - Possibly the album's weakest track but that's no disgrace considering the quality of most of the songs. I just think it goes on way too long, in a rather discordant, tuneless fashion.So, if you haven't already bought it, I urge you to do so. I never tire of listening to it. I would also recommend their follow up album, 'Luminous.' It's not quite as strong as 'Skying' but it's still worth a listen.