As far as I can recall this is my first public piece of writing. I wrote this album review for now defunct regional arts newspaper. As I look back on writings I did just a few years ago I seemed to be a much more sardonic and confident writer. I wonder where that person went?
New York Natives, Skeleton Key have released their first new album in nearly a decade, and it was worth the wait. Gravity is the Enemy on Arctic Rodeo Records is a rowdy fifty-three minutes of junk banging joy. Skeleton Key, once again, shows that there’s gold in barely contained abstract weirdness with a pop sensibility.
Formed by former Lounge Lizard alumni and puppeteer Erik Sanko. Skeleton Key brings the avant-garde to the mainstream. The four-piece band consists of Erik Sanko on bass and vocals, Craig LeBlang on guitar, Bob Vaccarelli on drums and Benjamin Clapp on junk. Yeah, you heard that right, Clapp plays junk.
Light-hearted weirdness and junk percussion could easily become a gimmick for most bands, but Erik and his team show that there is a fine art to structured cacophony. Even If unusual subject matter like ditties about circus freaks and sea-shanty interludes aren’t your thing; you can’t go wrong with this release. There is enough straight down the middle rock feeling to please even the most fickle of ears. Fans of The Melvins, Tomahawk, and Helmet will feel right at home with “Gravity Is The Enemy.”
5 Landon’s Beard out of 5
Stand out tracks on the album include “Machine Screw” “The Mowing Devil” “Everybody’s Crutch” and the title track “Gravity is the Enemy.” You can find the album for free on Spotify here.
Shell Beach 