Skybox is a band of four boys from Chicago that sounds more like sunset at a carnival than Illinois’ usual pop punk offerings. Their first album, Arco Iris, was released in 2006 and after touring the country and gathering an underground following they released “Morning After Cuts” in January of 2010. Their music ranges from slow, seventies influenced guitars reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkle to more modern, lyric driven melodies that bring to mind Jack’s Mannequin. Along the way they dabble in the Beatle’s psychadelic period, and pick up an Americana player piano intro for their song “Various Kitchen Utensils.”
Yes, “Various Kitchen Utensils.” Their most played song on Myspace, the one that developed their following, begins with a chippy piano piece that you would expect to drip from a nickelodeon before dissolving into a dancy guitar driven melody that makes your shoulders and hips and heart move. It’s this kind of switch in genres and moods that gives Skybox its own sound, filled with well executed key changes and a real thought to how their music moves in and out of the notes.
But most importantly, Skybox puts on a great live set. They recently played at Great Scott in Allston, MA, and the crowd loved them. They were having so much pure, honest fun up on stage that it was infectious. They volleyed words back and forth between band members and the crowd, and danced, laughed, and sang as they played. They were a little silly, a little ridiculous, with the lead singer bouncing up and down as he played his guitar, the bassist teasing the other band members, the pianist trying to shake sweat on the crowd, but they laughed at themselves and the crowd laughed with them. Their music won over half the crowd and their stage presence won the other.
Highlights from their new album include “Fences,” another song that it’s impossible not to dance to, and “Trout,” which features a sing-along ending. “Various Kitchen Utensils” is a must listen from their album Arco Iris.
Sounds Like:
Jukebox the Ghost, indie pop, the seventies, a sing along with your hip preschool teacher
Skybox is currently on tour with Jukebox the Ghost and Tally Hall. You can check out the tour dates on their Myspace page, as well as dowload a free copy of “In a Dream” off of their new album.
Wed, Apr 7, 2010
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