Harrassment is not the most attractive quality in a band and sending a number of emails in asking about the status of a review ends up going from passionate to annoying in a matter of words. There’s usually a reason why a CD doesn’t get reviewed on PT and we do state they can take about three months in the worst case scenario. The Skyline, unfortunately, were worst case scenario, but that didn’t stop the barrage of emails which, sadly, ended up a bit rude and demanding (although an apology was issued when the band found out the reason the delay happened was because I’d been in hospital and everyone’s review had been pushed back). Still, it didn’t exactly make me want to listen to this – and it made me want to like it even less.
But I’m a professional (cough, cough) so I won’t let little grievances impact on a review – which is tough when the CD you’re reviewing really isn’t that good. When I previously reviewed The Skyline I mentioned they were lacking in direction and sounded like too many of their (better) peers and influences. Sadly that comment still stands. ‘Print:Error’ is really messy. Whoever mixed this needs to go back to mixing school – ‘Tight Ropes’ sounds absolutely dreadful with instruments just thrown on top of each other at different speeds. It’s like the aural equivalent of semolina. Remember that? A horrible, lumpy desert that left a bitter taste in your mouth. The title track is better but again the levels are all wrong, but the problem remains that the band go through different stages of who and what they want to sound like. And by the end of this four-tracker I still don’t really know where the band are going. They’re clearly talented musicians who can play and they can clearly write riffs and sing – but throw it all together and it’s not so much the work of Van Gogh, but a three-year-old who has chucked paint at a canvas.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – if you don’t get the recording right you can be the best band in the world but it won’t attract listeners. For me, ‘Print:Error’ is the sound of a talented band not utilising their talent correctly. And until they do they can expect to continue on the Lancashire toilet circuit.