.Blue Skies for Black Hearts

Blue Skies for Black Hearts

Music can be ephemeral or it can be timeless. In that second category, a song can be of the moment and/or sound as if it belongs to a past epoch. With its self-titled sixth album, Portland, Oregon’s Blue Skies for Black Hearts is of the latter sphere — without being excessively derivative, BSFBH judiciously draws on a couple decades of pop history, from the Sixties through the mid-Seventies. “Love Scenes” evokes silky, forlorn-sounding R&B vocal groups like Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, while its limpid tempo, heavenly-cool background harmonies, and falsetto wail recall Frankie Valli’s early days with the Four Seasons. “You Gotta Quit Kickin’ Dog” is a punchy, sardonic rocker that Creedence Clearwater Revival or Thin Lizzy might’ve done in their respective hard-rockin’ primes. “Waiting to Run” has Hollies-like harmony singing, a sweetly stinging guitar lead, a melancholy vibe, and a seething finale that will warm the cockles of any Big Star fan’s heart, as will the clipped power chords and angst of “It’s Gone on Too Long.” With its mechanical cadence and repeating, semi-yelped ooh! refrain, “Don’t Look Back” harks back to slyly subversive new wave from The Cars and Devo.

BSFBH frontman Pat Kearns (also a producer/engineer for The Dandy Warhols and The Clorox Girls) has an agreeably harmonious voice and a knack for melodic hooks, and the band has mastered the art of restraint — there’s nary an extraneous note here. Recommended! (Velvaphonic)

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

East Bay Express E-edition East Bay Express E-edition
19,045FansLike
14,598FollowersFollow
61,790FollowersFollow
spot_img