Skywave - Synthstatic...

I was talking to an online friend last night and we got on the subject of the band Skywave. The discussion inspired me to make a post about them today and their wonderful album Synthstatic. Although the trio had a few albums before Synthstatic, it’s definitely their crowning achievement as a band.

Upon first listen of Synthstatic it’s easy to cast it aside and merely label it as nothing more than a tribute to Jesus and Mary Chain. Although there is an obvious relation between the two bands, I feel like Skywave took that sound and basically ran with it making it even more explosive. I know some probably won’t feel that way, but I honestly look at this as some sort of expansion on the original sound that is done well and tastefully.

Everything about Synthstatic is completely overblown and sounds like the volume is constantly sitting in the red. For Skywave the distortion comes first and everything else is a close second. At times it almost feels like it could rip right through your eardrums, being as aggressive and raw as it is. However, despite as loud and noisy as it initially comes off, buried underneath all of the fuzz and squealing guitar there are melodies that help balance it out and serve as the more controlled aspect of the groups sound. The songs themselves range from being upbeat and poppy to being completely detached and absolutely sinister sounding. Although it may be hard to find the beauty in something like this, it’s definitely there. The noise and the dreamlike state that it eventually molds itself into basically give the listener the best of both worlds.

Skywave – Don’t Say Slow [MP3]
Skywave – Nothing Left to Say [MP3]
Skywave – Angela’s an Angel [MP3]
Skywave – Kiss [MP3]

After the band split a couple of the members went on to from Ceremony and another member went on to form A Place to Bury Strangers, both of which are recommended if you dig the above posted material. Unfortunately almost all Skywave material is long out of print and is incredibly hard to find. All I can suggest is to scour the likes of eBay and various other marketplaces that specialize in used material.

UPDATE: Thanks to Mars in the comment section for providing a place to purchase Synthstatic. You can pick it up over at Parasol. I would recommend getting it while you can though, because I have no idea how many they have.

ANOTHER UPDATE: A reader was kind enough to e-mail me and let me know that there is a 12 song compilation of b-sides and rarities available through the cassette exclusive label Best Kept Secret. It can be had over at the IndiePages Shop.