Boston improve rockers Skyfoot deliver an abundance of fine musical flavors within their jam band sound. Soulful country rock could be one label for what Skyfoot plays on their new Blindly On Through album. With many of their nine tracks lasting over seven minutes, this could also make a fan of 1970s rock bands feel like they are listening to a double record set. However one wishes to dissect this band’s influences, their, musicianship, edgy and robust, carry one through an impressive, well-thought out album.
Keyboardist Eric Mcewen, guitarist Tyler Arnott, bass guitar player James Taylor, and drummer Aaron Morey conjure their improvised rock pieces like musical wizards looking for the perfect alchemy.
Opener “Bluebird” plays with a festive, rollicking mix of influences, like the members of this band grew up listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Byrds. Shiny guitar notes and rock and roll piano makes one feel the soulful country atmosphere in which a fetching rock vocal sings out an inspired lyrical tune. Despite the diversity of influences, the Skyfoot band make them all fit in together.
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“Hurdy Gurdy” offers a fine line of chicken picking guitar notes that flavor it country while the piano is oldies rock and roll. A shuffle groove keeps tugging at the listener’s ears and all instruments form into a racing dandy, numerous notes traveling in the fast lane, not wanting to be late to their own party. Eventually, this jaunty piece turns into a cascade of jazzy piano and handsome organ plumes. One cannot help but get caught up in all that is going on with this band of many moving parts.
“Purple Trees” bops its way along with a steady cool. It’s a contemplative down tempo soul rock sprawl. It carries the listener along with lifted tufts of motion. “The Flow,” flavored by flinty guitar and accented organ notes, keeps things toe tapping and colorful. It reaches a fine catharsis as a smoldering guitar rears its smoky head.
The catchy keyboard work of “Maybe So” makes an empowered platform for the mellow soul lead vocal. The chemistry between voice and organ is uncannily good. The Skyfoot Boys cuts loose, letting their guitars, bass, organ, and drums get feistier, stretching out well in a long play approach. “Even Then” swaggers slowly through a bluesy landscape. Steady drum fills and crisp lead guitar playing make for a tasty, self-restrained sound.
“The Whale” rides a slow, eerie path. This low key tune carries its other worldly vocal with light touches of hypnotically toned guitar, bass, and drums. The chorus “I head him singing the strangest tune” gets repeated until it is a trance like experience. Singing slowly enough it’s almost talking, the lead vocal reaches another level of the listener’s consciousness as a lead guitar imitates a whales cry. It’s a clever, fetching approach.
“Mushroom Jesus” is as cool as its title implies. This tune offers everything from a skittering keyboard line, haunting low key vocals, alluring percussion, and a shifting dynamic. It eventually becomes a harmony laden anthem for personal freedom in one’s own mind. Flamboyant organ lifts, swift drum fills, and a spirited lead guitar phrase make this one fine tune to sway to during an outdoor rock concert evening.
Closing track “Mountains Immense” steps into one’s awareness with a feeling that something epic is about to take place. A low key vocal seems to hum with smooth melody. Beneath that voice, a mesh of tender instruments carry the listener toward what will surely be an adventurous musical workout.
Skyfoot create a lot of fine musical high points on this Blindly On Through disc. Produced by Warren Amerman at Rotary Records in West Springfield, Massachusetts, everything is played to the highest degree of tasteful, self-restrained discipline. Improvisation is one of this band’s numerous strengths. Interpersonal chemistry is also key. Each band member is a corner stone in something larger than an individual musician. One can feel each of these rocking numbers unfurl like a well constructed art piece.
