the SKYS
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the SKYS

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | INDIE

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | INDIE
Band Rock EDM

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"The SKYS: New Album 01/05 Former Green Lemon Guitarist"


WAYNE ALLEN REVEALS NEW MUSICAL PROJECT the SKYS
SMALL DREAMS IN AN ELEVATOR TO BE RELEASED JANUARY 5, 2010


Former Green Lemon guitarist Wayne Allen will unveil his new musical project this fall with the debut full length album from his new band, the SKYS, entitled Small Dreams in an Elevator. The disc is due for release on Allen's own imprint label, LTC Records, on January 5, 2010.
Allen, who spent the better part of the last decade fronting the Midwest touring sensation, Green Lemon, has been hard at work recording the new album at Chillhouse Studios in Boston, MA. The album is being co-produced by Will Bradford (SeepeopleS, Freepeoples Frequency) and Will Holland, best known for his work with the Pixies and Dead Can Dance. Most importantly, Small Dreams in an Elevator represents a new evolution in Allen's songwriting and a refinement of the sound he has spent the last few years developing. With one foot in the door of traditional anthem-like rock melodies, and the other foot wildly kicking out into an entire universe of original sound-scaping and electronica, the SKYS is a band to keep an eye on. These are songs that are as much at home being played on a car stereo as they are being played in an arena.

Some of the stand-out tracks on the album include the jungle indie-garage concoction, "Turtles," the hard house dance infused "Nice Place," which is a complete re-working of a Green Lemon favorite, and the truly unforgettable "Heavy Eyes," which is also the first single from the album. Allen's collaboration with Holland, Bradford, and Freepeoples Frequency's beat creator, Brooke Binion is highly evident throughout the album. Each song is a true hybrid of heavy synthesizer laden layers, glitch driven beats, electronic pads and guitar rock and pop, much in the spirit of acts like Radiohead, The Flaming Lips, and Bright Eyes.

Wayne Allen and the SKYS are also pleased to announce the debut of their first music video for the song, "Heavy Eyes," the first single from Small Dreams. Director of photography, David Whitson, utilized a creative vision that meshed well with the track. "I was excited to work with Wayne Allen. The song 'Heavy Eyes' is a great track for video as it allowed endless creative possibilities. Our vision was to make a video as colorful as the music. The collaboration between Wayne and I during the production process couldn't have been better. In addition, video editor Tim Kimberling, really helped bring our vision together in post."

The video for "Heavy Eyes" will soon be available here. Currently, the SKYS is gearing up for their first nationwide tour in support of the new album.



http://www.theskysband.com

[Published on: 12/14/09] - Jambase.com


"THE SKYS - SMALL DREAMS IN AN ELEVATOR CD"

The SKYS - Small Dreams in an Elevator CD
February 10th, 2010 | Posted by: leeway

The SKYS present a scintillating collection of electronic loops, savvy songwriting, and arresting melodies with this debut release.

The SKYS, a five piece outfit from Oklahoma, features Wayne Allen's music and lyrics, and the production talents of Will Bradford. Allen, who led the underground jam stalwarts, Green Lemon, and Bradford, who has played with the Seepeoples, bring a varied sonic pedigree to the SKYS. Allen and Bradford share producer credits with Will Holland for “Small Dreams in an Elevator.” This album, with its sonic exploration and varied moods, has a lot of different facets and will leave the listener wanting more. The band spotlights Wayne Allen and Will Bradford on guitars, keys, vocals, beats and sequencing, with Will Holland on bass, Danny Marino on drums, and Brooke Binion on electronic beats and sequencing as well. The band creates an interesting dynamic with their arrangements, blending sounds that remind of Beta Band, the Postal Service and the Shins, and infusing them with the jam sensibility of Lotus and Perpetual Groove. As these songs reflect a large variety of influences, the sound of the the Skys is hard to pigeonhole. I have found these tracks to be alluring, beautiful, even somewhat mysterious. Although it is sometimes difficult to assess the value of an album before it “ages,” I have found the tracks on this album to be gratifying and addictive. This has to be one of the more unique recordings I have heard in my year of working for Home Grown Music, and I've had the opportunity to hear lots of them.

The album begins with the loops and meanders of “Bad Guys.” This song depicts “life in a fishbowl” (in a figurative sense) and utilizes excellent imagery to tell the story. The music sways, heaves and undulates over Allen's wistful lyrics. “Heavy Eyes” feels nostalgic and carefree, despite a spirit of reluctance that seems to guide the vocals. I find comparison to other bands to be a less desirable mode of description for these reviews. However, certain songs just scream for simile or metaphor, and I feel that about “Dirty Weather.” The guitar, loops, and emotional honesty reminds me of the early days of Perpetual Groove (think “TSMM”) and this song skips along to a feverish, satisfying ending. “Turtles” feels like some modernized Pink Floyd B-side with its layered vocals and sequencing; the track transports the listener away in a wash of wistful feedback. My favorite song on the album is the sparsely populated, but incredibly evocative “Driver.” The song is defined by subdued guitar, vocals, and a sense of melancholy. The lilting beauty of this track reminds me of the Shins, and feels like some missing component to an unrealized movie soundtrack. The relative simplicity of “Driver” is juxtaposed against the sonic layers of “Animal.” This song saunters then fades into a wash of loops and sequencing. The album closes with “Different Faces,” utilizing a methodical beat, interesting effects and vocals as it ratchets forward to its conclusion.

The overall effect of “Small Dreams in an Elevator” is quite satisfying. The SKYS employ a nice mix of wistful lyrics, technological blips and beeps, and intelligent musical choices to create an album that is charming and elegant, yet mysterious. I have seen comedians who declared that you always want to “leave the audience wanting more,” and that seems to be this case with this album. The 8 tracks contained on this release provide a nice introduction to The SKYS, and leave a favorable first impression. With repeated listens, the album lodged itself into my subconscious, and I would find myself liking the album more with each listen. In fact, when “Different Faces” ended, I often found myself wishing there was at least one more track to discover. This album is defined by an eclectic blend of songwriting, musical experimentation, and elegant simplicity. “Small Dreams in an Elevator” succeeds on many levels. As a debut release, it indicates there is much more to be heard from The SKYS and I look forward to the discovery.

- by J Evan Wade - Home Grown Music Network - Small Dreams CD Review


"the SKYS - Small Dreams in an Elevator CD Review"

The Skys: Small Dreams In An Elevator


Having never heard Wayne Allen's previous band Green Lemon, I'm pleased to say that I managed to approach The Skys with no preconceptions as to what would be contained inside his new project's debut album Small Dreams In An Elevator. That said, I really wasn't expecting the electronic rhythms mixed with indie rock pretentions and gentle simple melodies bolstered by fragile yet confident vocals that ooze out of the speakers.


While there are samples and loops used throughout this album, the feel never strays too far from organic and Allen possesses a voice that betrays the oft modern feel for something more akin to Stephen Stills or Paul Simon when he was still singing with his tall mate and while these styles may seem at odds, what Allen has achieved is to bind them together with wonderfully melodic phrases, intelligent vocals and sparse drama that make for tracks that are accessible and challenging at the same time.

Some have already lumped The Skys with the likes of Radiohead, however the feel created here is too up tempo in a down beat manner to truly be put in that bracket and Allen isn't afraid to be overtly pop when the mood takes him. "Bad Guys" comes on like a light weight Killers, however with more listens the stringent beat and jaunty keyboard colours really take hold and as so often during the disc, Allen's vocals raise what could have been a good track into a great one. There are no histrionics to his delivery, however the heartfelt, high pitched timbre is tailor made for the soundscape going on beneath it. "Heavy Eyes" reminds of a less twee "Our House" by Stephen Stills, a gentle acoustic guitar strums behind Allen's excellently layered harmonies and when the synth joins in the feeling is both uplifting and relaxing.

You could imagine the chorus of "Dirty Weather" cropping up on a later day Marillion album, however the double timed high hat in the chorus is altogether more dance oriented and brings a strangely sedate urgency to the singing keyboard backing. In contrast "Turtles" has a strong riff quietly holding an almost spoken vocal to acoustic strumming, piano stabs and glockenspiel pings before the wonderfully arranged vocals soar with an angelic quality and alter the mood completely. "Driver" has a vibe that makes you think of Simon and Garfunkel sitting together in a darkened room with only a spotlight for company as the plaintive acoustic guitar backs another seductive vocal and in an album full of intricate rhythms and beats the contrast is all the more stark and effective. As though to reinforce that contrast "Animal" is pure 80's electronica with a regimented beat gently pushing the synth melodies, although the song itself never gets above a considered jog, somehow The Skys manage to make these sedate electronic meanderings compelling and vital. The whole album has been building and as the chorus to "Slow" washes over you with its gloriously melodic hook the peak of the disc has been reached. Listen to it once and you'll be humming it for days, give it a couple of repeat listens and you'll discover a chorus line and melody that will stick in your head for eternity. Simple, memorable and stunningly effective. It's like rediscovering a long lost friend. You can't quite believe your luck and then it's like you've never been separated. Following that is a tough ask, so The Skys just decide to change tack once more by closing the disc with the angular piano build of "Different Faces" which has a vocal which is intentionally buried behind a dense wall of sound that slowly unravels as it brings the album to a close.

I wouldn't normally seek out an album that housed so much sampling and electronic embellishments, however on Small Dreams In An Elevator they are used to compliment some simple but hugely effective melodies and as already said Allen's vulnerable vocals are perfect for this album. The songs are extremely well written and along with Allen, Will Bradford (bass, guitars, keys, synth, etc.), Will Holland (bass) and Barry Marino (drums) put in flawless performances.

The Skys may have small dreams, however this is one elevator ride that ensures the journey is even more rewarding than reaching your destination.


Track Listing
1. Bad Guys
2. Heavy Eyes
3. Dirty Weather
4. Turtles
5. Driver
6. Animal
7. Slow
8. Different Faces

Added: February 8th 2010
Reviewer: Steven Reid

- Sea of Tranquility - Stephen Reid


Discography

Small Dreams in an Elevator
Single - Weight
Single - Nice Place
Single - Conversations

New CD "Micro-waves" is expected to release in January 2011.

Photos

Bio

*WAYNE ALLEN REVEALS “the SKYS” *

Former Green Lemon guitarist, Wayne Allen has unveiled his new music project with the debut full length album release from his new band, the SKYS, entitled “Small Dreams in an Elevator”. The disc was recently released on Allen’s own imprint label, LTC Records. Allen, who spent the better part of the last decade fronting the Midwest touring sensation, Green Lemon, has been hard at work recording the new album at Chillhouse Studios in Boston, MA. The album is being co-produced by Will Bradford (of SeepeopleS) and Will Holland, best known for his work with the Pixies and Dead Can Dance. Most importantly, Small Dreams in an Elevator represents a new evolution in Allen’s songwriting and a refinement of the sound he has spent the last few years developing. With one foot in the door of traditional anthem-like rock melodies, and the other foot wildly kicking out into an entire universe of original sound-scaping and electronica, “the SKYS” is as revolutionary as it is utterly addictive! These are songs that are as much at home being played on a car stereo as they are being played in an arena.

Some of the stand-out tracks on the album include the jungle indie-garage concoction, “Turtles,” the hard house dance infused “Nice Place,” which is a complete re-working of a Green Lemon favorite, and the truly unforgettable “Heavy Eyes,” which is also the first single from the album and sure to be one of the biggest hits of the year. Allen’s collaboration with Holland, and Bradford is highly evident throughout the album. Each song is a true hybrid of heavy synthesizer laden layers, glitch driven beats, electronic pads and guitar rock and pop, much in the spirit of acts like Radiohead, the Flaming Lips, and Bright Eyes. What distinguishes “the SKYS” from its sonic-pop predecessors is Allen’s distinct vocal delivery and his knack for anchoring melodies throughout the album, even as the sonic settings change from song to song. It is more than refreshing to hear an album that is meant to be listened to from beginning to end, especially in the modern single-track-iTunes world.” Allen’s writing has evolved since bringing us tracks such as the Jammy Nominated “Mess” and the heavily radio requested “Shoestring” and is evident on “Small Dreams in an Elevator”. With thought provoking lyrics and solid melodies, the songs favor a more concise and focused style of songwriting, and the results are splendid indeed!

Wayne Allen and the SKYS are also pleased to announce the debut of their first music video for the song, "Heavy Eyes," the first single from Small Dreams in an Elevator. Director of Photography, David Whitson utilized a creative vision that meshed well with the track. "I was excited to work with Wayne Allen. The song "Heavy Eyes" is a great track for video as it allowed endless creative possibilities. Our vision was to make a video as colorful as the music. The collaboration between Wayne and I during the production process couldn't have been better. In addition, Video Editor, Tim Kimberling, really helped bring our vision together in post." The video for “Heavy Eyes” can be previewed at www.theskysband.com or on YouTube.com, or in the video section of Sonicbids.com. Currently, the SKYS is gearing up for a regional and soon nationwide tour in support of the new album. Up to date concert information can be found on the SKYS official website. For information on everything that is the SKYS, please visit: www.theSKYSBand.com.