Skying

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.

Where in the name of god did this gem come from? I saw these lads on some NME endorsed Indie tour alongside The Automatic and The Cribs in 2007 and I thought they were nothing more than a faux Motley Crew band. They were entertaining no doubt, but basically if someone had of told me that four short years down the line they'd have even attempted a body of work like this i'd have slapped you in the face and called you Ebeneezer. It's crept it's way into my top 10 albums of all time list (no such list exists, only in my mind so don't bother searching Amazon) and is nearly 100% pure perfection. Of course there's no such thing as the perfect album so they shouldn't feel bad. The album opens up with the sublime "Changing The Rain", the gorgeous "You Said" and the uplifting "I Can See Through You". The album carries an air of psychedelia in most of its tracks with backwards guitars and surreal lyrics throughout. Special mention must go to the musicianship, the drums are clinical but never overdone ("Monica Gems" a high watermark), the bass is basic but in the best possible way, the guitar work has shades of shoegaze in there (only one guitar solo can be found) and the keyboards are hugely influential which give the album the atmospheric touch it craves. "Endless Blue" is a song of enduring beauty and one which i'll never tire of. It has a Prog Rock (don't get scared) touch to it, but unlike it's forebearers from yesteryear, doesn't take 10 minutes to get going. It's the strongest song on the album and one which I forged a strong bond with on my holiday to Ibiza (crazy f***ing San Antonio) this year. The only song which (slightly) lets this wonderful album down is "Oceans Burning" which somehow petered the album out. It's a lenghty 8 minute opus which starts and ends well, but the middle section was a bit too feedbacky for my liking. Reminded me of the not so great parts of My Bloody Valentine. It's a little niggle though on an otherwise flawless piece of work. Much more successful is their OTHER sprawling epic "Moving Further Away", a wonderful piece of music which surpasses the 8 minute mark. This one works though and really grows on you. What more can i say, get this album! Absolutely essential.

First heard horrors at Glastonbury a few years back with still life. This album is full of great tracks which are really catchy. They do remind me of early simple minds and maybe the odd burst of floyd! Well recommended.

This is the first album I've heard by The Horrors, so no comparisons to the early 2 from me. This album is fantastic, and seems to show a maturing band not scared to wear its old and current influences on its sleeve and transport it them to a fresh, exciting place. I can hear Echo and the Bunnymen, early Stone Roses and early Suede here, lovingly translated into a modern context, with quality, tight production. Well crafted and thought about, each track stands alone as being quite different, whilst flowing successfully from one to another. The range of instrumentation is very impressive, both 'live' and sampled/electronic. The overall feel is melancholic and uplifting in one, with shoegaze drones, up tempo drums and floating synths. Real 80's translations, without a rip off feel. The quality here represents a band writing from a place of respect for its influences and the desire to do something new and different. If you have the bands I've mentioned above in your collection, and Stereolab, and The Cure and Kasabian then buy this, and listen a few times. I'll be checking out the previous albums now.

After Primary Colours I was a bit concerned that The Horrors wouldn't be able to match the standard. Skying overall exceeds Primary Colours, although there is no outstanding track as with Sea within a Sea. The only bad track is Monica Gems which sounds exactly like Suede and seems out of kilter with the rest of the album. The thing that I like about Skying is that tracks regularly change tempo mid track and tracks aren't limited to 5 minutes. Two tracks are around the 8 minute mark and change enough to keep you interested. The album mixes electronic and guitar brilliantly and its difficult to find a current album which is more innovative. A Mercury nomination is the least this deserves. A must have album of the year. Buy it now.

I really haven't decided whether to like or dislike this album...because I haven't yet got past the point of laughing at it. I loved 'Primary Colours', which was truly original and genuinely exciting....it is always the album I go to first on my MP3 player. But...this is so deriviative. The comparisons with Simple Minds are totally valid, but if Simple Minds had released this now, they would have been critically derided. Fashion is a funny old game. I am more inclined toward the Suede comparison...which isn't a bad thing but it's been done... by Suede. Here's my problem, do I let these 'parodies' get in the way of enjoying it. Or... Do I just luxuriate in the undisputed depth of sound, and the overall 'wash' of the electronica. If I can get over the initial hilarity, maybe there's actually a good/great album in there........possibly a 'grower'......I will persevere. By the way, I did love Simple Minds, but their CDs are consigned to gathering dust.

I was never a Horrors fan as such but I liked the most recent songs that they did from this album so thought I would give it a try. I've listened to it several times and it just gets better. Their unique style of music in this album reminds me of Kraftwerk mixed with Rock music. Seriously worth a listen!

This is good. Really good. I bought this after hearing the band at Glastonbury - I hadn't realised that someone called "The Horrors" would produce such an exhilerating and uplifting piece of work. Great band at the top of their game.

Für mich haben die Jungs hier bedeutend zu wenig Aufmerksamkeit bekommen. Die CD ist duchweg gut hörbar, atmosphärisch-leicht und positiv - sonst hätt ich sie wohl auch nicht gekauft - und da mein Auslöser nur EIN Lied war, habe ich mich sehr gefreut, dass auch der Rest der Platte so versöhnlich-tröstend ohne eine Spur von Problemen daher kam. Man wird sich in 10 Jahren nicht mehr an diese Band erinnern, wie an manch zeitgenössischen Trash-Musiker, aber The Horrors haben bei mir auf jeden Fall einen Platz unter meinen 200 Lieblingssongs für mein Leben.

I don't really write reviews but I'm a little ticked by the 2's and 3's this CD is getting. It's great music (a 5), and if you like shoegaze or nugaze or dream pop or post-rock or whatever, you'll enjoy it. This CD has sold well in the UK and I'm surprised it hasn't done better here.

Album bellissimo, una perla indie rock che cresce ad ogni ascolto

Indie rock de calidad! Un disco que merece la pena tener en tu colección de casa.

Un premier album garage-punk bancal et fatiguant, pas vraiment produit mais pas vraiment cradingue non plus, Manoeuvre hurlait qu'on les produise après un de leur concert à Benicassim, et puis plus rien. Primary Colors arrive, sans crier gare, ce sera un véritable raz de marée! Maitrise, talent, inspiration, cet album est un des meilleurs de 2009. Deux ans plus tard, on retrouve les horreurs avec Skying, album de vacances, repos mérité pour ceux qui se seront inventés déjà deux fois auparavant, confirmant l'adage du "jamais deux sans trois", les voilà réinventés, une fois de plus. Un album qui rappelle The Verve, My Bloody Valentine et autres lumières 90's avec brio! Plus ils sortent des albums, plus ils se rapprochent du présent, souhaitons juste qu'il ne s'inspirent pas des années 2000 pour le prochain opus, les Strokes n'en ont pas terminé avec la noyade.