Three years have passed since The April Skies have released new music. It hardly seems that long, especially once you put the CD in your stereo and the music starts, its like they never left.
Right from the opener “Punch Drunk Messiah” you feel like the transport machine is taking you back to the 80’s and REM is blaring on the radio. The similarities are there but make no mistake, The April Skies sound very today. That comparison is one of those warm and fuzzy things that happen when you hear good music from bands that are the real deal.
Jake Crawford’s vocals and lyrics remain very distinct and the core from which The April Skies sound emanates. Every member is synchronized with each other. Andy Book (guitars), Mark Higgins (keyboards & vocals), Jason Leidich (bass & vocals) and John Ritchey (drums), form a unit that is the like the pulse of indie rock.
I love this band and what they are all about. They strive to make great music on every track and it makes you feel it’s just for you. The April Skies are like the working class heroes of indie rock, I can say that about very few bands these days.
You get 10 tracks of irresistible rhythmic rock with their trademark jangling guitars accentuated by keyboards that fit nicely while the bottom end rolls right along with standout bass and drums. 7 out 10 tracks move on down the line like that with the exception of some softer ballads.
“Why Weren't You Like This Years Ago?” is a ballad with a wailing guitar seemingly in the distance calling the recipient of the message being conveyed. “The Sound Of My Heart Breaking”is exceptionally good with a nice strumming acoustic guitar and a well placed keyboard layer that serves as a mini orchestra then an electric lead comes in gently and fades away and the process begins again. The CD closes out with yet another soft rock treat “The Daylight Hours”. Again you get the strumming guitar and the other instruments are introduced gently but poignantly while lead man Crawford makes every word count with passion to make you a believer.
For the more rocking tracks, I particularly enjoyed “Thinner” and the lead off track “Punch Drunk Messiah”. They are both radio ready as it gets and I like the way the music ebbs and flows, reaching a crescendo that hits you all at once with a satisfying excitement that you just cannot get enough of.
The one thing you can count on with The April Skies is their ability to keep you interested as a listener and enough so you find some interest in the story being told and then become inspired to see how it all fits for you as an individual or someone you know. Music that pushes you in another direction than the one you are heading is making a statement and I heard this band loud and clear once again.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
