Late posting due to a certain laziness this week. Foul weather, family coming over, negative cash flow for music, blah, blah, blah.Anyway, I was first introduced to the music of skeletonbreath by a friend some several years ago as she was babbling about how great their music was. I casually ignored her for awhile, mostly because money was an issue then (not much has changed) and new music was only acquired by gifts or when I had enough saved up from performances to go and pick up something. Had to make sure the music was good before spending hard earned pennies on it.
So, on an impulse one night last year, I ventured to New Paltz to see skeletonbreath play at this sh#tty bar that I rarely go to. After a cavalcade of mediocrity in the form of other bands wasting time until 1am, skeletonbreath got up, rattled the house to its foundations, and converted me on the spot. There's a special feeling that comes from buying a CD directly from an artist, and I was glad to be able to pick up Louise directly from the hands of the people that made it.
For those completely unfamiliar with skeletonbreath, they are a three piece band consisting of Robert Pycior (also of O'Death) on electric violin, Andrew Platt on bass guitar, and currently Tris Palazzolo on drums, although on Louise drums are performed by their previous drummer Crockett Doob. I file skeletonbreath with other bands that are currently unsigned but phenomenally good and probably should be receiving more attention than they are at the moment (other names on that list include the previously-reviewed Sarah Perrotta, Autodrone, and The Funeral Crashers).
Louise is the self-released 2005 debut from this experimental crew. If I had to describe it as anything with easy pigeonhole terminology, it's somewhere between post-rock and demented violin punk. This band always has something up their sleeves, with sudden changes in tempo and sound, dropping from something high-speed and loud to quiet and minimal. Completely wild and untamed, skeletonbreath can bring out the inner madman in just about anyone. I am not known for being a dancer (almost violently opposed to dancing, as my friends will attest), and skeletonbreath can get me moving on the floor. The album cover art, by Eliza Zeitlin, is awesome as well.
If there are any complaints, they lie in a feeling of repetitiveness. It feels like the same tunes are played over and over with but a few variations here and there. There are a purely instrumental band, so there are no vocals to use as a sort of mark to know which song you are on. Even given that, Louise is still a good release and worth picking up. Their music is so unique that even this criticism is reduced to a mere quibble.
More importantly, skeletonbreath is a band you should see live. Nothing compares to the experience of seeing Pycior sawing away madly on his violin and Platt slamming his bass as the crowd bounces and thrashes in ecstatic motion. Check their calendar for dates when they will be in your area, and then mark your calendar. I guarantee you will not be disappointed that you went.
skeletonbreath's myspace
