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Band: Skinner Box
Album title: Life Is Chemistry [EP]
Release date: 1 March 2013
Label: AF-music
Tracklisting:
01. Goldfish Memory
02. A Passage In Time
03. O-Type
04. Paperdoll People
05. Slow Motion
It seems that guys from German label AF-music really know how to find out some great newcomers to the dark music scene and by digging up this Greek band they've really had a golden hand. It's hard to imagine that this band was formed only one year ago and that the members have almost no professional musical career behind them, as this studio debut from them is sounding like they've had at least ten years of activity behind. I was hooked by their music since they've revealed online their first song and was patiently waiting for this release.
EP in question Life Is Chemistry is mesmerizing work, containing five tracks, full of extravagant melodies, catchy refrains and somehow relaxing, yet dynamic music. The first song up here "Goldfish Memory" is an absolute hit, its refrain is captivating and I'm sure that you'll whisper it many times after hearing it. Vana has a beautiful voice, very atmospheric, emotional and somehow warm and sexy. I've had a feeling of listening to Florence (Florence + The Machine), mixed with Siouxie, Helen Vogt (Flowing Tears) and Nienke de Jong (ex Autumn). Not to speak of great, yet melancholic guitar passages and riffs under the hand of Spyros Mitrokotsas, producing melodies that even Robert Smith from The Cure could be proud of, listen for example to "O-Type" or "A Passage In Time" and you'll get my point. Bass lines are another thing that must be noted, sometimes taking the front role, still giving that calm pace to the music. Occasionally the band deepens the atmosphere with some keys. Skinner Box music is compact enough, even if there could be found many different musical styles in it, from alternative rock, indie, gothic rock, trip hop, dark wave, but I believe that we can say in two words that this is post-rock and no harm is done. It's not difficult to get driven away by the flowing song structures where they use a lot of simple popy lines, the only thing that I miss is a bit more of energy and power. Still this fact doesn't hurt here, but when the band is going to make a full lenght album that could be a problem and I think that they are aware of this as they already added a second guitarist into the line-up.
Life Is Chemistry is a briliant debut and beside musical excellence it offers a lot also from lyrical point. I believe that each listener will think about his own actions in life after careful listen. Interesting album artwork and incredible production, considering again that this is their first studio effort, completes the picture. Now, please relax and get your own dose of Skinner Box.
Review written by: T.V.
Rating: 8,5/10
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